Just imagine, you have visited a gas station on a regular day to put some petrol in your car and there you may find something that is going to change your luck in a day. This is what occurred to an American man, who picked up what sounded very ordinary like the Sacajawea dollar coin at the gas station and later it has been found to be worth $1.2 million ( Roughly Rs 10 crores)!
Yes, it is not a film story, this is a reality. Not only this find altered the life of that individual, but also put coin collectors in the entire world on tenterhooks.
What is Sacajawea Dollar?
The Sacajawea dollar is a dollar coin of the United States. The dollar was first introduced to the circulation in the year 2000. This coin depicts Native American woman Sacagawea a guide in the famous Lewis and Clark expedition.
This coin was minted in golden color like brass, so it is also commonly called “Golden Dollar”. Although this coin was printed in large numbers, some special editions (rare minting errors or limited editions) are so rare that their price reaches millions.
How was this rare coin found?
According to reports, this incident happened at a gas station in a small town in America. A local resident went there to fill petrol. He bought some chocolates and snacks from the counter, and got some coins in return during cash payment.
The person was usually interested in identifying old coins. When he looked at the coins carefully, he saw a Sacajawea Dollar coin as something different – its color was a bit unusual and the printing on it also looked special.
When he got suspicious, he took a picture of the coin and shared it on online collectors forums and social media. Within a few hours, the picture of the coin went viral, and then a famous coin expert confirmed that this coin is 2000-P Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar – which is a rare prototype version.
Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar: What is special about it?
In 2000, General Mills Company ran a promotional campaign with its popular cereal brand “Cheerios”. As part of this campaign, a one dollar Sacajawea coin was inserted in a few lakh Cheerios boxes. But some of these coins were specially designed by the United States Mint – which have a “Belly Feather” (Detailed Tail Feathers) design, which was never used again.
These special coins are called “Cheerios Dollar”, and today these coins are considered extremely rare and valuable.
Why is it worth $1.2 million?
You must be wondering how a common looking coin can be so expensive?
There are some main reasons for this:
Rarity: Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar is available in very limited numbers. Very few such coins have come to light so far, and even among them, being in good condition is another big thing.
Mint Error: The tail feather design in this special coin was somewhat different, which was different from the minting done later. This is a “Transitional Pattern Coin” — that is, this coin was made at the time of a design change.
Demand from collectors: Coin collectors around the world are in search of such coins. When the demand for a rare thing is high and the supply is low, its price starts skyrocketing.
Condition: The condition of the coin we are talking about was almost new (Mint State). This increased its value further.
The person’s reaction
When the person got confirmation from coin experts and the auction house that the coin he had could be worth up to $1.2 million, he was shocked. He said:
“I just went to buy a snack, and I didn’t know that my luck was about to change. This coin is nothing less than a treasure for me.”
He now plans to sell the coin through an auction house.
Can you have a coin like this?
This story is a great lesson that sometimes we should look carefully at even the simplest things. Maybe you have a rare coin in your house in an old wallet, grandmother’s closet, or even a piggy bank.
How to identify if you have a valuable coin?
Check the year and mint mark: Look for the year and mint mark (such as P, D, S) on the edge or bottom of the coin.
Look for suspicious designs: If something looks different or special in the design, note it.
Share on online forums: Share photos on sites like CoinTalk, Reddit’s Coin Collecting subreddit, or PCGS.
Get advice from a local or certified coin dealer.
Coin Collecting – An Interesting Hobby
This incident shows that coin collecting can be not just a hobby but also an economic opportunity. Many people around the world have been collecting coins for years and today they own property worth millions.
Numismatics has been a popular hobby in India too, especially coins of old kings, British period and pre-independence era are in great demand.
Conclusion
An ordinary looking Sacajawea dollar found at a gas station proved that luck can turn anytime, anywhere. Sometimes even the most ordinary looking things turn out to be priceless. This incident is an inspiration for all those who think that miracles do not happen anymore.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Sacagawea dollar coin?
A: The Sacagawea dollar is a U.S. $1 coin introduced in 2000. It features Sacagawea, a Native American woman who assisted the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Q2. Why is this particular Sacagawea dollar worth $1.2 million?
A: This specific coin is an extremely rare Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar, which features a unique tail feather design. Only a very limited number were released in 2000 through a General Mills promotion. Its rarity, condition, and design anomaly make it highly valuable.
Q3. How was the coin discovered at a gas station?
A: A man received the coin as change while purchasing items at a gas station. On close inspection, he realized it was unique and sought expert evaluation, confirming its multimillion-dollar value.
Q4. How can I know if I have a valuable Sacagawea dollar?
A: Look for the 2000-P “Cheerios” version with enhanced tail feathers. It’s best to compare with verified images or consult a coin grading expert.
Q5. Are there other valuable versions of Sacagawea dollars?
A: Yes, apart from the Cheerios variant, certain mint errors, limited editions, or prototype coins from early releases can be worth thousands.