2002 Sacagawea Dollar Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth)

The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar value varies significantly based on condition and mint mark. Most circulated examples remain at face value—$1.00 for grades Good through About Uncirculated.

However, the 2002-P reaches $8.00 in MS condition, while the 2002-D commands $7.14. The real standout is the 2002-S Deep Cameo proof at $7.33, representing the highest quality strikes from the San Francisco Mint.

What determines these differences? The answer lies in preservation quality, mintage numbers, and collector demand—factors that separate common circulation finds from coins worth several times their face value.

 

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Value By Variety

Each mint facility produced its own version of the 2002 Sacagawea Dollar, creating distinct varieties that collectors track separately. The chart below breaks down values across different mint marks and conditions.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Sacagawea Dollar Value (2000 to Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 2002 Sacagawea Dollar Worth Money

The exceptional values among 2002 Sacagawea Dollars reveal how condition rarity drives today’s market. The 2002-D MS66 leads at $8,050, but this record-setting price has specific context. This specimen was struck on a quarter planchet rather than the standard dollar blank, creating a dramatic wrong-planchet error that collectors prize.

The 2002-P MS69 commands $3,738, reflecting genuine scarcity at this grade level. With a mintage under four million coins sold exclusively to collectors, pristine examples remain elusive. The 2002-S PR70 proof at $1,150 represents flawless striking quality from San Francisco.

Grade differences create significant price gaps. The 2002-D MS67 sells at $33 – examples just two grades lower bring substantially less. For proof coins, the 2002-S PR69 trades around $115, as most examples grade between PR68 and PR69.

These prices underscore a consistent principle: preservation quality matters more than mintage numbers for modern coins. Collectors pay premiums for specimens that survived without the contact marks typical of mass production.

 

History of The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

The Sacagawea Dollar series launched in January 2000 with extraordinary expectations. The government spent over $60 million on awareness campaigns and struck over 1.5 billion coins in the first two years, hoping the golden-colored dollar would replace paper bills in everyday commerce.

The optimism collapsed quickly. The series proved unpopular, with mintage dropping by 90% after the first year. Americans simply refused to spend the coins. People set them aside rather than using them in transactions, and Federal Reserve officials noted the coins “tend not to circulate” but instead “wind up in people’s drawers, jars, and pockets”.

This failure forced a decisive change. On March 31, 2002, the U.S. Mint suspended production for circulation, then announced weeks later that 2002 P and D issues would be available to collectors only. From 2002 through 2008, Sacagawea dollars were only struck for sale to collectors. By this time, over 1.3 billion coins had cost taxpayers more than $160 million, yet government vaults overflowed with hundreds of millions of unwanted pieces.

During a May 2002 Senate hearing, Senator Byron Dorgan declared the Golden Dollar “has been a failure”, crystallizing the program’s disappointing trajectory. The 2002 transition marked the end of circulation hopes and the beginning of the coin’s existence as a collector-focused product.

Also Read: Top 80+ Most Valuable Sacagawea Dollar Worth Money (2000-P to Present)

 

Is You 2002 Sacagawea Dollar Rare?

To determine if your 2002 Sacagawea Dollar is rare, use the CoinValueChecker App to instantly check its grade, identify potential errors, and assess its market value based on current auction data.

 

Key Features of The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar marked a significant shift in the series as these coins were never released into circulation but instead were sold exclusively to collectors through the U.S. Mint, making them distinctly different from their widely circulated predecessors.

The Obverse Of The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

The obverse design was created by sculptor Glenna Goodacre and depicts Sacagawea, the Shoshone guide of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, carrying her infant son Jean Baptiste on her back. In a departure from traditional numismatic practice, Sacagawea is shown in three-quarter profile while looking directly at the holder.

Goodacre used Randy’L He-dow Teton, a Shoshone college student, as her model to ensure cultural authenticity. The artist incorporated large, dark eyes attributed to Sacagawea in Shoshone legends. The infant Jean Baptiste is shown on Sacagawea’s back in traditional Hidatsa custom.

The word “LIBERTY” appears above Sacagawea’s head, the date “2002” is positioned below, and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is placed to the left.

The Reverse Of The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

The reverse design was created by United States Mint sculptor-engraver Thomas D. Rogers and features the following elements:

• Soaring Eagle – Depicted in flight with outstretched wings, positioned flying to the left, symbolizing peace and freedom
• 17 Stars – A ring of five-pointed stars encircling the eagle, representing each of the 17 states in the Union at the time of the 1804 Lewis and Clark Expedition
• “E PLURIBUS UNUM” – Located above the eagle’s head at the top of the coin
• “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” – Inscribed on the upper periphery of the coin
• “ONE DOLLAR” – The denomination appears on the lower periphery
• Designer’s Initials (T.D.R.) – Located below the eagle’s tail feathers and to the right of the denomination

Other Features Of The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

The coin’s physical construction consists of a three-layer clad composition with a pure copper core sandwiched between outer layers of manganese brass. The overall composition of the coin is 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel, which was selected to give the coin its distinctive golden color while maintaining the same electromagnetic signature as the Susan B. Anthony dollar for compatibility with coin acceptors.

The coin measures 26.5mm in diameter, weighs 8.1 grams, and has a thickness of 2mm, with a plain smooth edge without reeding. Like other brass coins, the Sacagawea Dollar’s color naturally darkens over time, developing an antique patina, though frequent handling may wear off this darker finish on high points, creating bright highlights that give depth to the design.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money List

 

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar was struck at three facilities with comparable mintages. Philadelphia led with 3,865,610 coins, followed by Denver at 3,732,000 pieces. San Francisco struck 3,211,995 proof coins in Deep Cameo finish.

The Denver issue achieved the highest survival rate at 99.68%, with 3,720,000 coins remaining today. Philadelphia’s survival rate reached 98.30%, representing 3,800,000 extant pieces. Both business strikes from P and D maintained exceptional preservation above 98%.

The San Francisco proof stands apart with just 67.37% survival. Only 2,163,834 coins remain from the original mintage. This lower figure likely stems from handling practices and the delicate nature of proof finishes.

These survival figures reflect the collector-only distribution model used in 2002. Without circulation wear, both P and D coins maintained their original condition far better than earlier releases intended for general use.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Silver Dollar Coins Worth Money (Most Expensive)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2002 Sacagawea Dollar Value

tart by locating the mint mark below the date on the obverse side—P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, or S for San Francisco proof. Next, assess the coin’s condition, as grade significantly impacts value. Circulated examples are worth face value at $1, while uncirculated coins grading MS65 typically sell for around $7, and proof versions in PR70 condition reach approximately $30.

For quick and accurate assessments, CoinValueChecker App simplifies this process by scanning your coin and providing instant value estimates based on current market data and grading standards, eliminating guesswork from your evaluation.

 

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Value Guides

Understanding the value distinctions between mint facilities helps collectors target the right specimens for their portfolios. Each production location delivered coins with unique characteristics and market positioning.

Philadelphia and Denver struck business strikes exclusively for collector sales, never releasing them into general circulation. San Francisco focused solely on proof production, featuring mirror-like surfaces and frosted design elements.

Grade determines value more than mint mark for 2002 issues. Circulated examples trade at face value regardless of origin. Uncirculated business strikes in MS65 condition command similar premiums from both Philadelphia and Denver. Proof versions with Deep Cameo designation consistently outperform standard business strikes, with PR69 and PR70 grades achieving the strongest market prices.

• 2002-P Sacagawea Dollar Value Philadelphia mint collector-only strikes in uncirculated condition.
• 2002-D Sacagawea Dollar Value Denver production with similarly preserved uncirculated specimens available.
• 2002-S DCAM Sacagawea Dollar Value San Francisco proof featuring deep cameo contrast and mirror fields.

 

2002-P Sacagawea Dollar Value

When first released in 2002, the U.S. Mint offered these coins in rolls of 25 for $35.50 or bags of 2,000 pieces for $2,190. Most buyers purchased them directly and stored them carefully, expecting they’d become collectibles worth holding onto. That storage habit has shaped today’s market in unexpected ways.

The manganese brass composition shows every contact mark and handling trace. Getting a truly pristine coin means finding one that avoided even the slightest bump during production, packaging, or storage. Fewer than 1,000 examples have been certified at the MS68 level, making this grade genuinely challenging to locate.

Basic uncirculated examples typically trade between $1.25 and $6, but the grade jump matters financially—MS67 pieces sell around $10, while MS68 specimens reach approximately $35. At MS69, where only about 20 coins have been certified, values climb significantly higher.

An example reached $3,738 at Heritage Auctions in July 2011, demonstrating the premium that top-grade collectors pay when population numbers remain minimal.

For those tracking price trends, a comprehensive look at historical auction results can provide additional context for this transitional year.

Recent market patterns reveal how collector demand shifts across different quality tiers throughout the year.

 

2002-D Sacagawea Dollar Value

The 2002-D Sacagawea Dollar has experienced notable price adjustments over the past fifteen years. MS68 examples currently trade around $225-250, down substantially from the $750 range seen around 2010. This decline reflects market recalibration as more coins entered the grading pipeline and initial enthusiasm cooled.

MS67 pieces have held relatively steady, moving from roughly $30 in 2010 to the $24-42 range today, while MS65 examples dropped from about $12.50 to around $7.

The survival estimate tells the real story—approximately 150,000 coins exist in grades MS65 or better, earning this issue an R-1.9 rarity rating. That’s a substantial population for a coin marketed exclusively to collectors.

For those building a date set, MS67 represents the practical sweet spot—offering solid eye appeal without the sharp premium jump to MS68. The $24-42 price range has proven stable, suggesting the market has found fair value at this grade level.

A full record of realized prices offers useful perspective on this Denver issue’s market behavior.

Observing current market trends helps gauge collector attention and liquidity for the 2002-D Sacagawea Dollar.

 

2002-S DCAM Sacagawea Dollar Value

The 2002-S Sacagawea Dollar was produced as a proof issue. Most examples grade between PR68 and PR69 Deep Cameo, with the frosted design elements contrasting sharply against mirror-like fields that collectors have come to expect from San Francisco proof production.

Standard proof examples carry modest premiums, typically valued around $7 or more. Perfect PR70 Deep Cameo specimens command higher prices—an example reached $1,150 at Heritage Auctions in November 2003, demonstrating early collector enthusiasm for flawless grades when the series was still relatively new.

Within this issue exists the Philip N. Diehl Signature variant. These coins are identical to standard 2002-S proofs but housed in special holders featuring Diehl’s authenticated signature—he served as the 35th U.S. Mint Director who oversaw the Sacagawea dollar’s launch.

The added value stems purely from signature provenance rather than any minting distinction. In PR70 grade, signature pieces typically sell for around $42-55, appealing primarily to collectors focused on director-signed items.

The coin’s historical auction results illustrate its performance and value trends in the collector market.

The next chart shows its market performance and activity over the past twelve months.

Also Read: 17 Rare Dollar Coin Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Rare 2002 Sacagawea Dollar Error List

While most 2002 Sacagawea dollars were carefully produced for collectors, a small number escaped quality control with fascinating minting flaws. These errors have become prized finds, combining low production year scarcity with the appeal of documented manufacturing mistakes.

1. Wrong Planchet Errors

This error occurred when dollar dies compressed their design onto an incorrect blank intended for State Quarters. The planchet weighed only 5.67 grams instead of the standard 8.10 grams, measuring 24.3mm rather than 26.5mm in diameter. The smaller copper-nickel clad composition created distinctive visual characteristics that immediately distinguish it from normal strikes.

Why did this happen? During 2002, both quarter and dollar production shared facilities at the Denver Mint, though dollar output had plummeted to just 3.7 million pieces—a 99.3% decline from 2000’s production. The dramatically reduced workflow and shared production space increased the possibility of planchet mix-ups.

Auction records show an MS66 specimen sold for $8,050 at Heritage Auctions. The error combines two scarcity factors: the already low 2002-D mintage and the rarity of wrong-planchet mistakes in modern production.

This dual rarity makes it particularly appealing to error specialists who seek documented anomalies from the transition to collector-only status.

2. Die Crack Errors

Die cracks on 2002 Sacagawea dollars manifest as raised lines across the coin’s surface, typically appearing on Sacagawea’s face or the eagle’s body on the reverse. These imperfections developed as the dies aged through repeated striking.

The mechanism behind die cracks involves metal fatigue. As dies strike thousands of coins, stress fractures form in the hardened steel surface. These fractures fill with metal during subsequent strikes, creating raised lines on the finished coins.

Some 2002-D specimens from mint sets exhibit pronounced cracks running across Sacagawea’s cheek and jaw—features that sparked debate in collecting communities about whether they qualified as die gouges or natural cracks.

To distinguish genuine die cracks, examine the consistency of the raised line. True cracks show uniform height and follow the contours of the die damage rather than appearing as random scratches.

3. Strike-Through Errors

Strike-through errors occur when foreign material positions itself between the die and planchet during the striking process. For 2002 Sacagawea dollars, this commonly involved lint, grease, or metal debris accumulating on die surfaces.

The production environment creates these errors. Die cleaning protocols sometimes leave residue, or manufacturing byproducts migrate onto striking surfaces. When the press operates, this material transfers its impression to the coin, creating areas of missing or weakened detail.

Some 2002 specimens show “filled die” characteristics where design elements like IN GOD WE TRUST or LIBERTY appear partially or completely absent.

Values depend on dramatic presentation: minor strikes-through affecting peripheral lettering bring $10-30, while major examples obscuring Sacagawea’s portrait or significant design areas reach $100-300. These errors appeal to collectors who appreciate visible minting anomalies with clear manufacturing narratives.

4. Off-Center Strikes Errors

Off-center strikes result from planchet misalignment in the striking chamber. Rather than centering perfectly between dies, the blank shifts, causing only partial design impression with a characteristic blank crescent remaining.

This error reflects mechanical timing issues. The feeder mechanism must position planchets precisely before the press cycles. When timing drifts or planchets feed irregularly, the strike captures the coin partially off-center.

Examine the entire piece to confirm authenticity. Both obverse and reverse should show identical off-center orientation, with the blank area appearing on the same relative position. The rim on the struck portion typically appears normal, while the unstruck area shows unfinished planchet edge.

Off-center strikes vary dramatically in value: 5-15% off-center pieces trade for $20-50, 20-40% off-center examples reach $75-200, and dramatic 50%+ strikes command $300-800.

 

Where To Sell Your 2002 Sacagawea Dollar?

Now that you understand your coin’s potential value, the next step is selecting the right marketplace to maximize your return and connect with serious buyers.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

FAQ About 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

1. How can I tell if my 2002 Sacagawea dollar is valuable?

Examine your coin for mint errors first—wrong planchets, off-center strikes, die cracks, or strike-through errors significantly increase value. Check the mint mark (P, D, or S) below the date on the obverse.

Assess the condition carefully. Uncirculated coins with full original luster and no contact marks command premiums. Look for sharp striking details on Sacagawea’s hair and the eagle’s feathers. Proof versions from San Francisco feature mirror-like surfaces and are more valuable than business strikes.

2. What makes 2002 Sacagawea dollars different from other years?

The 2002 issue marked the first full year of collector-only production, resulting in dramatically reduced mintages. Philadelphia struck just 3,865,610 pieces while Denver produced only 3,732,000—a 99.3% decline from 2000’s massive production.

This transition year created unintentional scarcity. The coins were sold directly to collectors at premium prices rather than entering bank channels, making them harder to acquire today than high-mintage years.

3. How much is a 2002 Sacagawea dollar worth?

Circulated 2002 Sacagawea dollars typically trade at face value of $1.00. Uncirculated examples in MS65 condition from Philadelphia or Denver mints command around $5-7 each.

The 2002-S proof version in PR65 condition sells for approximately $7-8. Error coins like wrong planchet strikes or dramatic off-center pieces can reach significantly higher values, from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the error type and severity.