2002 Sacagawea Dollar Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & “P” Mint Mark Worth

2002 Sacagawea Dollar value ranges from $1.00 face value to $8,050. That record was set by a Grade 66 example sold through Heritage Auctions in January 2009. If you’re sitting on one of these, upload your coin photo below for a quick value range on yours. Scroll down to see what they’re actually selling for on eBay right now.

 

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Value By Variety

Each mint facility struck its own version of the 2002 Sacagawea Dollar. Collectors track them separately. The chart below breaks down values across 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)

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Value — Top 10 Most Valuable Examples Worth Money

The top spot belongs to a 2002-D MS66 that brought $8,050 at Heritage Auctions in January 2009. Here’s the catch — that coin was struck on a quarter planchet, not a standard dollar blank. It’s a wrong-planchet error, which is a completely different kind of rare compared to a normal high-grade piece.

The 2002-P MS69 at $3,738 is a different story. That price reflects genuine condition rarity. With under four million coins sold only to collectors, finding one that graded MS69 is tough. Only about 20 have been slabbed that high across both PCGS and NGC.

The 2002-S PR70 Deep Cameo proof hit $1,150 at Heritage Auctions in November 2003. Deep Cameo (DCAM) means frosted, white design elements popping against mirror-like fields — the look every proof collector wants. Today, PR70 DCAM examples trade for far less as more have been graded over the years.

Look at the grade gaps. A 2002-D MS67 sells for just $33. Drop two grades lower and you’re near face value. For proofs, the 2002-S PR69 trades around $115 since most examples land between PR68 and PR69. Preservation matters far more than mintage for modern coins like these.

2002 Sacagawea Dollar History — The Year Circulation Hopes Died

The Sacagawea Dollar launched in January 2000 with huge expectations. The government spent over $60 million on marketing — including a Walmart partnership that shipped $100 million in coins directly to stores — and struck over 1.5 billion coins in the first two years. The goal was replacing paper dollar bills.

Americans weren’t interested. They pocketed the coins or tossed them in jars. Federal Reserve vaults filled up with hundreds of millions of unwanted pieces.

On March 31, 2002, the U.S. Mint pulled the plug on circulation production. Weeks later, they announced that 2002 P and D issues would be sold directly to collectors only. This “Not Intended For Circulation” (NIFC) status — meaning the coins never went through banks or normal commerce — defines every Sacagawea Dollar from 2002 through 2008.

During a May 2002 Senate hearing, Senator Byron Dorgan declared the Golden Dollar “has been a failure.” Hard to argue with that. But for collectors, the 2002 transition matters. It marks the permanent shift from mass-circulation coin to collector-only product with tiny mintages.

The numbers tell the story. Philadelphia struck over 767 million coins in 2000. By 2002, Philadelphia output dropped to just 3,865,610 pieces — a 99.5% reduction. Denver fell from 518.9 million in 2000 to just 3,732,000 in 2002, a 99.3% decline. Over the entire program, more than 1.3 billion coins had cost taxpayers more than $160 million, yet government vaults overflowed with unwanted pieces.

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

Is Your 2002 Sacagawea Dollar Rare?

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

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Key Features

The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar was the first full year these coins were sold exclusively to collectors. That single fact separates them from every Sacagawea Dollar struck in 2000 and 2001.

Collectors who bought them from the Mint got them in rolls or bags and stored them carefully. That’s why so many 2002 examples still survive in pristine, uncirculated condition today.

The Obverse Of The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

Artist Glenna Goodacre sculpted the obverse. It shows Sacagawea — the Shoshone guide of the Lewis and Clark Expedition — carrying her infant son Jean Baptiste on her back in traditional Hidatsa custom.

Goodacre used Randy’L He-dow Teton, a Shoshone college student, as her model. The design shows Sacagawea in three-quarter profile, looking directly at you — an unusual choice that broke from traditional coin portraiture.

Goodacre received a $5,000 commission for her obverse design — paid, at her request, in 5,000 specially burnished Sacagawea dollars. Philip Diehl, the 35th Director of the U.S. Mint, personally delivered the coins to her on April 5, 2000.

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

The Reverse Of The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

Flip it over and you’ll see Thomas D. Rogers’ reverse design featuring:

• Soaring Eagle — Depicted in flight with outstretched wings, 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
• “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” — Inscribed on the upper periphery
• “ONE DOLLAR” — The denomination on the lower periphery
• Designer’s Initials (T.D.R.) — Located below the eagle’s tail feathers

Note: Beginning in 2009, the reverse design changed annually under the Native American $1 Coin Act of 2007. The 2002 eagle reverse belongs to the original Sacagawea design era (2000–2008).

Other Features Of The 2002 Sacagawea Dollar

The coin uses a three-layer clad composition: a pure copper core sandwiched between outer layers of manganese brass. The full composition is 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel. This alloy gives the coin its golden color while matching the electromagnetic signature of the Susan B. Anthony dollar — so it works in vending machines.

The coin measures 26.5mm in diameter, weighs 8.1 grams, and has a plain smooth edge without reeding. Here’s the thing about manganese brass — it’s prone to spotting and toning. That’s why truly spot-free high-grade examples are genuinely scarce and pull strong premiums from PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company).

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

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

All three facilities struck far fewer coins than any previous year in the series. Philadelphia led with 3,865,610 coins. Denver followed at 3,732,000 pieces. San Francisco struck 3,211,995 proof coins in Deep Cameo finish for that year’s proof sets.

To put that in perspective: Philadelphia had produced over 767 million Sacagawea Dollars in 2000. The 2002 figure is a 99.5% collapse. That’s like going from filling a swimming pool to filling a coffee mug.

Denver achieved the highest survival rate at 99.68%, with roughly 3,720,000 coins still around. Philadelphia sits at 98.30%, about 3,800,000 pieces. Both business strikes stayed above 98% survival — a direct result of collector storage rather than circulation wear.

The San Francisco proof tells a different story at just 67.37% survival. Only about 2,163,834 coins remain from the original mintage. Mirror-finished proof surfaces show contact damage far more readily than business strikes, and handling of proof sets over two decades takes a toll. PCGS notes that the 2002-S proof is “fairly common” within the series, since other Sacagawea proof years have mintages closer to 1 million and are significantly scarcer.

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

The Easy Way to Know Your 2002 Sacagawea Dollar Value

Start by finding the mint mark below the date on the obverse — P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, or S for San Francisco proof. Then assess condition, because grade drives value more than anything else.

Circulated examples are worth face value at $1. Uncirculated coins grading MS65 (Mint State 65 — a solidly uncirculated coin with minor contact marks) typically sell for around $7. Proof versions in PR70 (a perfect, flawless proof) condition reach approximately $30.

For quick and accurate assessments, Coin Identifier and Value App simplifies this process by scanning your coin and providing instant value estimates based on current market data and grading standards.

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Value Guides

Here’s what you need to know about the three varieties.

Philadelphia and Denver struck business strikes — standard uncirculated coins — sold exclusively to collectors in bags, rolls, and annual Mint Sets. The 2002 Mint Set went on sale June 12, 2002, priced at $14.95 each. Collector bags containing 2,000 coins sold for $2,190, while rolls of 25 sold for $35.50 — meaning original buyers paid approximately $1.10 per coin above face value.

San Francisco only made proofs, with mirror-like surfaces and frosted design elements. The 2002-S came in that year’s proof set alongside other denominations.

Grade determines value far more than mint mark for 2002 issues. Circulated examples trade at face value regardless of origin. Proof versions with Deep Cameo designation consistently outperform standard business strikes, with PR69 and PR70 grades pulling the strongest prices.

• 2002-P Sacagawea Dollar Value — Philadelphia NIFC strikes sold exclusively to collectors in bags, rolls, and Mint Sets.
• 2002-D Sacagawea Dollar Value — Denver production with similarly preserved uncirculated specimens; market has stabilized after early price declines.
• 2002-S DCAM Sacagawea Dollar Value — San Francisco proof featuring Deep Cameo contrast (frosted devices on mirror fields) and Philip N. Diehl Signature variant.

2002-P Sacagawea Dollar Value

Can you really tell the difference between an MS66 and an MS67 Sacagawea Dollar? Your wallet can. When the U.S. Mint first offered these on April 29, 2002, buyers grabbed bags of 2,000 for $2,190 or rolls of 25 for $35.50. Most people tucked them away expecting future collectibility. That storage habit shaped today’s market in ways nobody predicted.

Manganese brass shows every bag mark and handling trace. Getting a truly pristine coin means finding one that dodged even the slightest bump during production, packaging, or storage. Fewer than 1,000 examples have been certified MS68 by either PCGS or NGC.

Basic uncirculated pieces trade between $1.25 and $6. MS67 sells around $10. MS68 reaches approximately $35. At MS69 — where only about 20 coins have been slabbed across both services — values jump dramatically. An MS69 example reached $3,738 at Heritage Auctions in July 2011. That’s what happens when pop reports show single-digit or low double-digit populations at a grade level.

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

If you bought a 2002-D in MS68 around 2010, you probably paid $750. Today that same coin trades for $225–250. Ouch. That decline happened as more coins entered the grading pipeline and early enthusiasm cooled off.

MS67 pieces have held better — roughly $30 in 2010, now in the $24–42 range. MS65 examples dropped from about $12.50 to around $7.

PCGS CoinFacts records the auction high at $8,050 — an MS66 sold at Heritage Auctions on January 1, 2009. But that coin was a wrong-planchet error struck on a State Quarter blank. Not a standard business strike. For a normal MS66 2002-D, values are far more modest.

Survival estimates put approximately 150,000 coins in grades MS65 or better, earning an R-1.9 rarity rating on the Sheldon Rarity Scale (R-1 = most common; R-8 = unique). That’s a big population for a collector-only coin. I think MS67 is the practical sweet spot for building a date set — solid eye appeal without the steep premium jump to MS68.

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

Don’t assume “proof” automatically means “expensive.” The 2002-S was produced exclusively as a proof at San Francisco. Most examples grade between PR68 and PR69 Deep Cameo (DCAM), with frosted devices contrasting sharply against mirror-like fields.

PCGS calls this issue “fairly common” within the series. Other Sacagawea proof years have mintages closer to 1 million, making them significantly scarcer. With 3.2 million struck, supply keeps prices accessible. PCGS also notes that PR70 Deep Cameo specimens are “a little harder to find but enough examples are out there to keep prices very affordable.”

Standard proofs carry modest premiums around $7 or more. A perfect PR70 Deep Cameo hit $1,150 at Heritage Auctions in November 2003 — back when the series was still new and collectors were chasing top-pop coins hard. Today, PR70 DCAM examples often go for $20–35 as population growth over two decades normalized availability.

There’s also the Philip N. Diehl Signature variant. These are identical coins housed in special PCGS holders featuring Diehl’s authenticated signature. Philip N. Diehl served as the 35th U.S. Mint Director who oversaw the Sacagawea dollar’s design and launch. The premium comes purely from signature provenance — in PR70 grade, signature pieces typically sell for around $42–55. We think they’re mainly interesting 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)

2002 Sacagawea Dollar Rare Error List

Most 2002 Sacagawea Dollars were carefully produced for collectors, but a handful slipped past quality control with fascinating minting flaws. These errors combine low-mintage year scarcity with the thrill of a documented manufacturing mistake.

1. Wrong Planchet Error — The Most Valuable 2002 Error

This is the big one. Dollar dies stamped their design onto a blank meant 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 blank looks obviously wrong next to a normal strike.

How did it happen? During 2002, both quarter and dollar production shared facilities at the Denver Mint, even though dollar output had plummeted to just 3.7 million pieces. Fewer coins running through the same equipment meant more chances for planchet mix-ups.

An MS66 specimen sold for $8,050 at Heritage Auctions on January 1, 2009 — the current auction record for any 2002-D Sacagawea Dollar. Cherrypicking one is straightforward: the coin looks noticeably smaller than a standard dollar and has a silvery appearance instead of the golden color. Weigh it if you can — 5.67 grams versus 8.10 grams is a definitive test.

2. Doubled Die Error (DDO/DDR)

A doubled die means the die itself was made with doubled design elements. Every coin struck from that die shows the same extra thickness or doubling. This is not post-mint damage.

On 2002 Sacagawea Dollars, check “LIBERTY,” the date “2002,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the obverse. Flip it over and examine the eagle’s feathers, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

The 2002-P has been flagged by some sources as particularly worth examining for doubled die characteristics. Grab a 5x–10x loupe and use raking light at a low angle. You’re looking for genuine hub doubling — not mechanical doubling, which carries no collector premium.

3. Die Crack Errors

Die cracks show up as raised lines across the coin’s surface. You’ll typically spot them on Sacagawea’s face or the eagle’s body on the reverse. They form as dies wear out through repeated striking.

Metal fatigue causes stress fractures in the hardened steel die surface. Those fractures fill with metal during subsequent strikes, leaving raised lines on the finished coin.

Some 2002-D specimens from mint sets show pronounced cracks running across Sacagawea’s cheek and jaw. A true die crack has uniform height and follows a consistent path — random scratches from handling look different. Minor cracks add $10–25. Prominent cracks running through main design elements can bring $50–150 depending on visual impact.

4. Strike-Through Errors

Strike-throughs happen when foreign material — lint, grease, metal debris — gets trapped between the die and planchet during striking. The press squashes that material into the coin, creating areas of missing or weakened detail.

Some 2002 specimens show “filled die” characteristics where “IN GOD WE TRUST” or “LIBERTY” appears partially or completely absent. Look for smooth, recessed areas where detail should be.

Values depend on how dramatic the result looks. Minor strike-throughs on peripheral lettering bring $10–30. Major examples that obscure Sacagawea’s portrait or significant design areas reach $100–300.

5. Off-Center Strike Errors

Off-center strikes happen when the blank shifts in the striking chamber. You get partial design impression with a blank crescent on one side.

Check both sides to confirm — the blank area should appear in the same relative position on obverse and reverse. If it doesn’t match, you might be looking at something else.

Values vary wildly by severity: 5–15% off-center pieces trade for $20–50; 20–40% examples reach $75–200; and dramatic 50%+ strikes command $300–800, especially if the date and mint mark remain visible on the struck portion.

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 Value

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

Start with errors. Weigh the coin — a State Quarter planchet comes in at 5.67g versus the normal 8.10g. Look for off-center strikes, die cracks, or strike-throughs, all of which boost value.

Then assess condition. Uncirculated coins with full original luster and no bag marks command premiums. Sharp detail on Sacagawea’s hair and the eagle’s feathers means good preservation. Proof versions from San Francisco with mirror-like surfaces are worth more than business strikes. Professional grading from PCGS or NGC is recommended for any coin you believe grades MS68 or higher.

2. What does NIFC mean for 2002 Sacagawea Dollars?

NIFC stands for “Not Intended For Circulation.” Starting in 2002, all Sacagawea Dollars were sold exclusively to collectors through the U.S. Mint — never released into banks or commerce. This creates a price floor: since collectors originally paid approximately $1.10–1.60 per coin (including packaging and shipping), these rarely trade below $1.50–$2.50 even in average condition. If you find one in change, somebody spent it without knowing what they had.

3. How much is a 2002 Sacagawea Dollar worth?

Circulated examples typically trade at face value of $1.00. Uncirculated examples in MS65 condition from Philadelphia or Denver command around $5–7 each. The 2002-S proof in PR65 condition sells for approximately $7–8. Error coins like wrong-planchet strikes can reach $8,000+ while dramatic off-center pieces typically bring $75–800 depending on severity and condition.

4. What is the difference between MS and PR grades on a 2002 Sacagawea Dollar?

MS (Mint State) grades apply to business strikes from Philadelphia and Denver — standard uncirculated coins. PR (Proof) grades apply to San Francisco issues, struck using polished dies and specially prepared planchets to produce mirror-like surfaces. The DCAM (Deep Cameo) designation means frosted design elements contrast sharply against mirror-bright fields — the most desirable look for proof coins. A PR70 DCAM is a perfect proof with no flaws visible under 5x magnification.

5. Why did the 2002-D MS66 sell for $8,050 if it’s only a $7 coin?

That $8,050 sale at Heritage Auctions was a wrong-planchet error — a 2002-D struck on a State Quarter blank instead of the proper dollar planchet. Not a standard coin. A normal 2002-D in MS66 is worth far less. Always read auction descriptions carefully — error coins and standard strikes are listed separately by the major grading services.

6. Is the 2002 Sacagawea Dollar made of silver or gold?

No. Despite the golden color, it contains no silver or gold. The composition is 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel. The golden color comes from the manganese brass outer layer. Melt value is negligible — pricing is driven entirely by collector demand and condition rarity.

7. What is the Philip N. Diehl Signature variant of the 2002-S proof?

It’s a standard 2002-S proof coin housed in a special PCGS holder bearing Philip N. Diehl’s authenticated signature. Diehl served as the 35th Director of the U.S. Mint and oversaw the Sacagawea Dollar’s creation and launch. The coin itself is identical — the premium comes from the signed holder. In PR70 grade, these typically sell for $42–55, compared to $20–35 for unsigned PR70 examples.

8. How many 2002 Sacagawea Dollars were made compared to other years?

Far fewer. Philadelphia struck 3,865,610 and Denver struck 3,732,000 — compared to 767+ million from Philadelphia alone in 2000. San Francisco struck 3,211,995 proofs. The 99%+ mintage collapse from 2000 to 2002 is one of the sharpest in modern U.S. coinage history, driven entirely by the coin’s failure to gain acceptance in everyday commerce.

9. Should I get my 2002 Sacagawea Dollar professionally graded?

Only if the coin warrants it. Grading fees from PCGS or NGC typically run $20–40 per coin at standard service levels. That only makes financial sense if your coin is likely MS67 or higher for business strikes, or PR69–PR70 for proofs. For typical uncirculated examples grading MS63–MS66, the fee eats the premium. If you suspect an error or your coin has blazing original luster with zero bag marks, go for it.

10. Can I still find 2002 Sacagawea Dollars in circulation today?

Rarely. Because these were NIFC coins sold directly to collectors, they shouldn’t be in general commerce. When one turns up in change, it usually means a collector or their heirs spent it unknowingly. Circulated examples found this way are worth face value of $1.00.