Currently, there are a few different designs of the US dollar coin in circulation, and the person featured on the coin varies depending on the specific series:
- Sacagawea Dollar (Native American Dollar Series): The obverse (heads) features a portrait of Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean-Baptiste. The reverse of this series changes annually and highlights important contributions made by Native American tribes and individuals.
- Presidential Dollar Coins (Not actively circulating but some may still be encountered): These coins feature portraits of deceased US Presidents on the obverse, with a common reverse design of the Statue of Liberty. This program ran from 2007 to 2016 and included an additional coin for George H.W. Bush in 2020.
- American Innovation Dollar Coins: The Statue of Liberty is featured on the obverse of this series. The reverse designs celebrate American innovation from each state, territory, and the District of Columbia.
Additionally, the Susan B. Anthony dollar, minted from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999, featured the likeness of the women’s suffrage leader Susan B. Anthony on the obverse, [according to the U.S. Mint (.gov)] . Before that, the Eisenhower Dollar (1971-1978) featured President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the obverse.
While the Sacagawea and American Innovation dollar coins are currently in production, dollar coins are not as commonly used in everyday transactions as dollar bills.
Who is on each coin and dollar?
The process begun in 1909 was complete in 1964, when American Presidents were featured on every regular issue circulating coin; Abraham Lincoln on the cent, Thomas Jefferson on the nickel, Franklin Roosevelt on the dime, George Washington on the quarter-dollar and John F. Kennedy on the half-dollar.