2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value Checker: Errors List, “P”, “D” & “S” Mint Mark Worth

2011 Sacagawea Dollar value ranges from $1.00 face value to $400. That record was a Grade 69 example sold through Heritage Auctions in December 2016. If you’re wondering what yours might fetch, upload a photo of your coin below for a quick value range. You can also scroll down to browse recent eBay sales and see what buyers are actually paying today.

 

2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value By Variety

The 2011 Native American Dollar was struck at three different mint facilities with varying edge lettering positions, each commanding different premiums based on their grade and rarity in the collector market.

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 2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value — Worth Money

The 2011 Native American Dollar demonstrates clear value stratification based on grade, mint mark, and special designations.

The most valuable specimen is the 2011-D Position A graded MS69 — that is, Mint State 69, meaning virtually flawless on a 70-point scale — commanding $400 due to its superior strike quality and extreme scarcity at that grade level.

San Francisco Proof issues hold prominent positions in the top ten, with a First Strike PR70 reaching $338 and a Philip N. Diehl Signature example at $135. Philip N. Diehl was the 35th Director of the United States Mint and the driving force behind the original Sacagawea dollar program launched in 2000 — his signature on a holder adds historical provenance that collectors prize.

Position B varieties show interesting pricing dynamics, with the 2011-P Position B MS68 achieving $224 while lower MS67 specimens settle around $16. The significant price gap between these grades underscores how dramatically surface preservation impacts value.

 

History of the 2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value and Design

The 2011 Native American Dollar was authorized under Public Law 110-82, the Native American $1 Coin Act, which mandated the U.S. Mint to issue annual dollar coins celebrating the important contributions made by Indian tribes and individual Native Americans to American history and development.

This legislation transformed the Sacagawea Dollar series into a rotating commemorative program beginning in 2009. The 2011 coin was the third release in this rotating series, following a design honoring the Three Sisters planting technique in 2009 and the Great Tree of Peace in 2010.

The theme for 2011 was officially titled “Supreme Sachem Ousamequin, Massasoit of the Great Wampanoag Nation Creates Alliance with Settlers at Plymouth Bay (1621).” This subject was chosen to honor one of the earliest and most significant diplomatic achievements between Native Americans and European settlers on American soil.

The 1621 treaty between the Puritan settlers at Plymouth and Massasoit of the Pokanoket Wampanoag consisted of six specific provisions, recorded by Governor William Bradford in his landmark work “History of Plimoth Plantation.” Massasoit promised to defend the Plymouth settlers against hostile tribes in return for their intervention if his people were attacked — and the Plymouth settlers actually honored the pact that very same summer.

Historians credit this alliance with ensuring the survival of the Plymouth colony during its most vulnerable early years. The treaty at Patuxet lasted more than 50 years — an extraordinary duration given the tensions that would follow in later decades.

The U.S. Mint consulted with Plimoth Plantation, the living history museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, throughout the design process. Linda Coombs, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), worked directly with Mint staff on the historical research that shaped the final design. Plimoth Plantation curator Karin Goldstein also confirmed the institution’s involvement, calling it “pretty exciting” to see Massachusetts history honored on a national coin.

On March 25, 2011, the U.S. Mint held an official launch ceremony at Plimoth Plantation. Federal officials and Wampanoag tribal leaders jointly introduced the coin to the public, while B.B. Craig, U.S. Mint Associate Director of Sales and Marketing, noted the treaty “later led the English colonists and Massasoit and his men to join in a first harvest feast.” Attendees could exchange cash for the new coins, and those 18 and younger received one free of charge.

The coin rolls were officially made available for purchase on March 28, 2011, at a price of $39.95 per 25-coin roll through the U.S. Mint website. Boxes of 250 coins were also sold at face value with free shipping — a deliberate promotional strategy to encourage collector acquisition.

The coin’s design was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna. The treaty commemorated by this coin lasted more than 50 years and led to the famous three-day harvest feast in October 1621, which later inspired the legend of the first Thanksgiving celebration.

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

 

Is Your 2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value Rare?

Unlock the true rarity of your 2011 Sacagawea Dollar with our Coin Identifier and Value App, which combines professional grading insights and real-time market data to determine exactly how rare and valuable your coin really is.

 

Key Features of the 2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value

The 2011 Native American Dollar represents a pivotal design within the evolving series, combining artistic excellence with historical commemoration.

Understanding the key design elements helps collectors identify genuine specimens and appreciate the coin’s numismatic significance in honoring Native American contributions to American history.

The Obverse Of The 2011 Sacagawea Dollar

The obverse design, created by sculptor Glenna Goodacre, depicts Sacagawea carrying her infant son Jean Baptiste Charbonneau on her back in traditional Hidatsa custom.

Goodacre chose Randy’L He-dow Teton, a Shoshone woman, as the model for Sacagawea’s portrait, ensuring cultural authenticity since no contemporary images of the historical figure exist.

The portrait faces right with the inscription “LIBERTY” arching gracefully above her head, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears to the left of the central figure. This obverse design has appeared unchanged on every Sacagawea and Native American Dollar since the series launched in 2000.

The Reverse Of The 2011 Sacagawea Dollar

The 2011 reverse design was created by Artistic Infusion Program Master Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.

The imagery depicts the hands of Supreme Sachem Ousamequin Massasoit and Governor John Carver symbolically exchanging a ceremonial peace pipe, commemorating the historic 1621 treaty between the Wampanoag Nation and Plymouth settlers. In the actual historical meeting, Winslow had served as a hostage to secure trust before Massasoit and Carver met — a detail that underscores how high the diplomatic stakes really were.

Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “$1,” and “WAMPANOAG TREATY 1621” arranged around the design elements.

Other Features Of The 2011 Sacagawea Dollar

The coin measures 26.5 millimeters in diameter and weighs exactly 8.1 grams. Its composition consists of 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel — a manganese-brass outer layer bonded over a pure copper core — creating the distinctive golden color that distinguishes it from other denominations.

The edge features incused lettering including the date (2011), mint mark (P, D, or S), and the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” a design element introduced in 2009 for the Native American Dollar series. This edge lettering is applied in a separate production step using a Schuler edge-lettering machine after the coin is struck.

The orientation of edge lettering creates two recognized positions: Position A (edge lettering reads upside-down when obverse faces up) and Position B (edge lettering reads normally when obverse faces up). Coins are fed randomly into the edge-lettering machine, so both positions exist in roughly equal quantities throughout the production run.

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

 

2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value — Mintage & Survival Data

The Denver Mint led production with 48,160,000 business strikes, representing 63% of total business strike output — nearly doubling Philadelphia’s 29,400,000. Despite this mintage difference, both versions trade at similar values in most grades due to abundant collector availability.

Combined business strike production totaled 77,560,000 coins, primarily sold directly to collectors through Mint rolls and boxes rather than entering general bank circulation. This NIFC (Not Intended For Circulation) distribution method resulted in higher survival rates and better average condition compared to coins that flow through bank channels.

San Francisco struck 1,673,010 proof specimens, representing just 2.2% of total production. These Deep Cameo proofs feature superior strikes and mirror-like surfaces that consistently command premiums over business strikes.

One critical grading factor that affects survival quality is the manganese-brass alloy’s tendency to develop dark carbon spots — sometimes called “flyspecks” by collectors. These black or brown blemishes can form even on coins stored in original Mint packaging and are the single biggest reason 2011 dollars grade lower than expected. Always examine any high-grade candidate under strong light and magnification before submitting for professional certification.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value

Determining your 2011 Sacagawea Dollar’s worth starts with examining its condition — circulated specimens typically trade at face value while uncirculated examples in MS65 grade can reach $4–$6.

Key factors include checking the mint mark location on the edge, identifying potential minting errors like weak or missing edge lettering, and carefully assessing the coin’s surfaces for carbon spots, scratches, or discoloration that can dramatically reduce its grade.

Our Coin Identifier and Value App instantly analyzes these critical elements through advanced image recognition, comparing your coin against certified auction records and grading standards to provide accurate market valuations.

 

2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value Guides

2011 Sacagawea Dollar Categories:

• 2011-P Native American Sacagawea Dollar: Philadelphia Mint business strike
• 2011-D Native American Sacagawea Dollar: Denver Mint business strike
• 2011-S Native American DCAM Sacagawea Dollar: San Francisco proof-only issue

The 2011 Native American Dollar was produced at three U.S. Mint facilities, each creating distinct versions with different characteristics and value profiles. Philadelphia and Denver struck business-quality coins sold primarily in collector rolls and boxes, while San Francisco produced proof specimens exclusively for numismatic sales.

Understanding the differences between these mint varieties is essential for accurate valuation, as production quantities, striking quality, and edge lettering positions all influence market prices.

 

2011-P Native American Sacagawea Dollar Value

The 2011-P Philadelphia Mint Native American Dollar stands out as the smaller of the two business strike productions with 29,400,000 coins minted, representing the first commemorative dollar celebrating the historic 1621 Wampanoag Treaty.

This coin symbolizes one of America’s earliest diplomatic achievements, depicting the ceremonial peace pipe exchange between Supreme Sachem Ousamequin Massasoit and Governor John Carver that helped ensure the Plymouth Colony’s survival.

Philadelphia strikes are available in both Position A (edge lettering reads upside-down when obverse faces up) and Position B (edge lettering reads normally when obverse faces up) varieties. This orientation difference does not impact value in standard grades, as both positions were created randomly during the edge-lettering process and exist in roughly equal quantities.

According to PCGS CoinFacts, MS67 examples from Philadelphia are abundant and widely available, making them the practical collecting grade for most hobbyists. The true condition rarity begins at MS68, where spotless surfaces become genuinely difficult to find given the manganese-brass alloy’s chemical reactivity. PCGS CoinFacts notes that coins above MS68 should “definitely be graded” at a professional service.

Auction records demonstrate the dramatic value increase at premium grades, with MS68 Position B specimens achieving $224 in 2013 and MS68 Position A examples reaching $240 in 2021 on eBay. These top-grade examples showcase flawless golden surfaces, complete edge lettering, and razor-sharp details on both the Wampanoag Treaty reverse and Sacagawea’s portrait.

The detailed auction records below track how Philadelphia Mint specimens have performed across different grades over time.

Market activity demonstrates steady collector engagement with this variety.

 

2011-D Native American Sacagawea Dollar Value

The 2011-D Denver Mint Native American Dollar distinguishes itself as the highest-production facility with 48,160,000 coins struck, representing 63% of total business strike output for this Wampanoag Treaty commemorative.

The U.S. Mint released these coins for sale beginning March 28, 2011, offering 25-coin rolls at $39.95 and 250-coin boxes at face value with free shipping. This pricing structure was designed to promote the series and encourage collector participation across all budget levels.

Denver strikes exhibit consistently strong quality control, with abundant MS67 examples readily available. According to PCGS CoinFacts, even MS66 specimens are considered very common among collectors seeking uncertified examples — but the real story begins at MS68.

At MS68, condition scarcity becomes pronounced, with fewer than a dozen examples known across both major grading services (PCGS and NGC). This dramatic population drop reflects the challenge of finding flawless golden surfaces free from the microscopic contact marks that accumulate during bulk packaging and storage in original Mint rolls.

Auction records demonstrate substantial premiums commanded by top-grade Denver specimens, with MS68 examples achieving $114 in October 2015 and a Position A coin in MS69 reaching $400 at auction — the single highest recorded price for any business-strike 2011 dollar.

The following auction history documents the price performance of Denver Mint examples across various certification levels and time periods.

Recent market patterns show sustained collector interest in this higher-mintage variety.

 

2011-S Native American DCAM Sacagawea Dollar Value

The 2011-S San Francisco Mint proof represents the premium collector edition, featuring the distinctive Deep Cameo (DCAM) contrast of mirror-like fields against frosted design elements. This is the finish that showcases the intricate Wampanoag Treaty imagery at its most dramatic.

Unlike the business strikes from Philadelphia and Denver, these coins were never intended for circulation and were sold exclusively in U.S. Mint proof sets. That controlled distribution ensures superior preservation and strike quality, and explains why the 2011-S consistently grades higher on average than either business strike variety.

Population data reveals 8,852 examples certified at PR69 DCAM and 926 at the flawless PR70 DCAM level, demonstrating consistently high quality control at the San Francisco facility. Both figures reflect strong overall quality from the 1,673,010 total proof mintage.

Auction records show steady demand across all proof grades, with PR69 DCAM specimens consistently trading between $8 and $16, and PR70 DCAM examples commanding $33–$79 at recent sales.

The all-time auction record of $190 was achieved in December 2018 for a PR70 DCAM specimen, reflecting peak market enthusiasm. Current values have stabilized in the $55–$80 range for perfect-grade proofs as populations have grown through additional certification submissions.

A special collector variety exists: the 2011-S Native American Philip N. Diehl Signature edition, bearing the autograph of former U.S. Mint Director Philip Diehl on the coin’s holder. As the 35th Mint Director who personally championed the original Sacagawea dollar program, Diehl’s signature adds documented historical provenance. These signed specimens carry additional premiums of $75–$135 in PR70 grades.

The auction record chart below illustrates how San Francisco proof specimens have evolved in value across different grades and market cycles.

Market activity reflects strong collector awareness of this proof-only edition’s superior quality and distinctive Deep Cameo contrast.

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

 

Rare 2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value — Error List

Edge lettering errors on 2011 Native American Dollars represent some of the most collectible minting anomalies in the modern dollar series, occurring when the separate edge inscription process malfunctions during production.

By 2011, the third year of the Native American series, the U.S. Mint had improved quality control significantly compared to 2009 — making edge errors progressively scarcer and therefore more valuable per example found. Research from Coins-Value.com confirms that 2011-and-later Missing Edge Lettering (MEL) errors are rarer than 2009 and 2010 equivalents, with uncirculated values ranging from $30 to $100 depending on severity.

1. Weak Edge Lettering Errors

Weak edge lettering errors occur when insufficient pressure during the edge inscription process results in shallow, faint, or incomplete imprinting of the date, mint mark, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” motto along the coin’s edge.

This malfunction happens when coins pass through the Schuler edge-lettering machine with inadequate die pressure, or when the inscription dies show excessive wear, creating barely visible characters that appear ghostlike compared to normal bold lettering.

The 2011-P Weak Edge Lettering in Position A, graded MS66, appeared in the #1 Ranked Mr. MEL Registry Set of edge lettering errors at GreatCollections — a benchmark collection that signals genuine rarity and collector prestige. Denver Mint Position A weak edge examples in MS66 have reached $600, demonstrating consistent demand for these production anomalies.

Collectors prize these errors because they represent a transitional state between normal production and complete edge inscription failure, offering visual proof of the separate edge-lettering process introduced with the Native American series in 2009.

2. Partial Edge Lettering Errors

Partial edge lettering manifests when only fragments of the edge inscription appear, typically showing portions of letters or incomplete words where the coin failed to receive a complete impression from the edge-lettering mechanism.

This error results from coins being improperly positioned or prematurely ejected during the inscription process, leaving gaps where normal lettering should appear continuously around the entire edge.

The visual impact of partial edge lettering varies significantly — some examples show only scattered letters, while others display nearly complete inscriptions with small gaps. The most dramatic version, completely missing edge inscriptions that create a “plain edge” specimen, can command values approaching $10,000 for early or dramatic discoveries.

Values for partial edge lettering errors typically range from $20 to several hundred dollars depending on grade, date, and mint mark. Some specimens show one section in Position A orientation while another displays Position B, creating hybrid errors that fascinate advanced collectors.

3. Doubled Edge Lettering Errors

Doubled edge lettering occurs when coins fail to eject properly from the edge-lettering mechanism and receive a second impression, creating overlapping dates, letters, and design elements that appear duplicated or offset along the edge.

This mechanical malfunction happens when the feeding system allows a previously inscribed coin to remain in the striking chamber for an additional edge-lettering cycle instead of advancing to the collection bin.

Severity determines value — minor doubling with slight overlap commands modest premiums of $50–$150, while dramatic doubling showing complete secondary impressions can reach $300–$800 in gem grades. Collectors should examine the entire edge circumference under 5x–10x magnification, as doubled impressions may appear stronger in certain areas depending on how the coin was positioned during the unintended second strike.

As edge-lettering technology improved after 2009’s integration of the inscription machinery into production lines, doubled edge errors became progressively scarcer on 2011 and later issues.

 

Where To Sell Your 2011 Sacagawea Dollar

For the best returns on a 2011 Sacagawea Dollar, consider professional auction houses for high-grade certified specimens, while standard uncirculated coins can be efficiently sold through online marketplaces, local coin dealers, or collector forums.

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

 

FAQ About the 2011 Sacagawea Dollar Value

1. Is my 2011 Sacagawea Dollar valuable?

Most 2011 Sacagawea Dollars in circulated condition are worth only their face value of $1.00, as these coins are relatively common and widely available in collector channels.

Uncirculated specimens in pristine MS65 condition can command $4–$6, while proof versions typically sell for $8–$15. Coins graded MS68 or higher are genuinely scarce and should definitely be professionally certified, as they can achieve significant premiums — including $400 for an MS69. Error varieties like weak or missing edge lettering can be worth substantially more depending on the severity and rarity of the mistake.

2. What are Position A and Position B on 2011 Sacagawea Dollars?

Position A means the edge lettering reads upside-down when Sacagawea’s portrait faces up, while Position B indicates the edge lettering reads normally when the portrait is upright.

Both positions are equally common since edge lettering is applied randomly by the Schuler edge-lettering machine during production, with approximately half of each mintage in each orientation. Neither position commands a premium in typical grades, though error collectors may pay extra for coins with partial or dramatically weak edge lettering in either position.

3. Are 2011 Sacagawea Dollars made of real gold?

No — 2011 Sacagawea Dollars contain absolutely no gold despite their golden appearance. They are composed of 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel, with a manganese-brass outer layer bonded over a pure copper core.

The manganese-brass alloy was specifically chosen because it gives the coin a distinctive golden color and also matches the electromagnetic signature of its predecessor, the Susan B. Anthony dollar, making it usable in vending machines and transit systems. With a total weight of just 8.1 grams, these coins derive their collectible value from condition and rarity, not precious metal content.

4. Why do 2011 Sacagawea Dollars develop dark spots, and does it affect value?

The manganese-brass alloy used in these coins is chemically reactive to moisture, sulfur, PVC plastic holders, and other environmental contaminants. This causes dark carbon spots — called “flyspecks” by collectors — to form on the coin’s surface, sometimes even in original Mint packaging.

These spots are permanent and are the single biggest reason 2011 dollars grade lower than expected. A coin with otherwise MS67 or MS68 surfaces can be downgraded to MS64 or MS65 by even a single visible spot. Always store your coins in PVC-free, archival-quality Mylar or acrylic holders in a dry, low-humidity environment.

5. What historical event does the 2011 Sacagawea Dollar commemorate?

The 2011 coin honors the 1621 Wampanoag Treaty between Supreme Sachem Ousamequin Massasoit and Plymouth Colony Governor John Carver. This treaty consisted of six specific provisions recorded in Governor William Bradford’s “History of Plimoth Plantation,” making it one of the earliest documented formal agreements between Native Americans and European settlers in North America.

The alliance lasted more than 50 years and led directly to the three-day harvest feast in mid-October 1621, which 220 years later would inspire what we now call Thanksgiving. Plimoth Plantation curator Karin Goldstein and Wampanoag cultural advisor Linda Coombs both worked with the U.S. Mint on the coin’s design to ensure historical accuracy.

6. What is the 2011 Sacagawea Dollar coin launch ceremony story?

The U.S. Mint held an official launch ceremony on March 25, 2011, at Plimoth Plantation museum in Plymouth, Massachusetts, with both federal officials and Wampanoag tribal leaders present. U.S. Mint Associate Director B.B. Craig spoke at the event, noting the coin’s connection to the “first harvest feast” that inspired Thanksgiving.

Attendees could exchange cash for the new coins on the spot, and visitors 18 years and younger received a free commemorative specimen. The rolls officially went on sale at the Mint’s website three days later, on March 28, 2011, priced at $39.95 per 25-coin roll.

7. What makes the 2011-S Sacagawea Dollar proof different from the business strikes?

The 2011-S was struck exclusively at the San Francisco Mint and sold only in U.S. Mint proof sets — never released for general circulation. It features the Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation, meaning frosted, raised design elements against mirror-polished fields, which creates a dramatic visual contrast not seen on the P or D business strikes.

With 1,673,010 proof coins minted and 8,852 certified at PR69 DCAM by professional grading services, the 2011-S consistently grades higher on average than either business strike. The all-time auction record for a single 2011-S example stands at $190 for a PR70 DCAM, achieved in December 2018.

8. What is the Philip N. Diehl Signature edition of the 2011-S Sacagawea Dollar?

The Philip N. Diehl Signature edition is a special variety of the 2011-S proof coin where former U.S. Mint Director Philip N. Diehl — the 35th Mint Director and the man most responsible for creating the original Sacagawea dollar program in 2000 — signed the coin’s certified holder.

These autographed holders carry documented historical provenance that advanced collectors find highly desirable. In PR70 DCAM grades, Philip Diehl Signature examples typically command $75–$135, compared to $33–$79 for standard PR70 DCAM specimens without the signature.

9. How do I know if my 2011 Sacagawea Dollar has a missing edge lettering error?

Hold the coin on its edge and slowly rotate it under a good light source, examining the entire circumference for the incused (recessed) lettering that should read “2011,” the mint mark (P, D, or S), and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” If any of this lettering is absent, extremely faint, or covers only part of the edge, you may have an error coin worth certifying.

A completely plain edge — with no lettering at all — is the most dramatic and valuable version, potentially worth near $10,000 for a dramatic example in high grade. Even partial or weak lettering can be worth $30–$600 depending on grade and severity. Have any suspected edge error authenticated by PCGS or NGC before attempting to sell.

10. Should I clean my 2011 Sacagawea Dollar to improve its value?

Never clean a 2011 Sacagawea Dollar — or any coin — even if it looks dull, spotted, or discolored. Cleaning destroys the coin’s original surface luster, removes microscopic metal flow lines called “cartwheel” luster, and leaves hairline scratches that professional graders can easily detect under magnification.

A cleaned coin is typically designated “Cleaned” or “Details” by PCGS and NGC, which dramatically reduces its market value regardless of how it looks to the naked eye. Even a heavily spotted original-surface coin is worth more than a cleaned one in most cases. If your coin has dark spots or toning, store it properly and let a professional grader assess it as-is.