To determine if you possess a rare “Cheerios” Sacagawea dollar coin, you need to examine the reverse side (the side with the eagle) and specifically focus on the tail feathers.
Here’s how to identify one:
- Year and Mint Mark: The coin must be a 2000-P Sacagawea dollar (meaning it was minted in Philadelphia).
- Enhanced Detail on Tail Feathers: The key difference is that the “Cheerios” variety has a more detailed design on the eagle’s tail feathers compared to standard 2000-P Sacagawea dollars. Look for prominently displayed, detailed diagonal lines within the feathers, not just wavy lines.
Think of it like this: the tail feathers on the Cheerios dollar appear to have more defined and separate feathers compared to the standard version.
It’s important to note that:
- Origin isn’t a guarantee: Just because a coin came from a Cheerios box doesn’t automatically mean it’s the rare “enhanced tail feather” variety, as some regular Sacagawea dollars were also distributed through the promotion.
- Condition Matters: The value of a “Cheerios” dollar is highly dependent on its condition. If the tail feathers are heavily worn or damaged, it can significantly decrease the coin’s value, and it might not be recognized as the rare variety.
- Professional Consultation: If you suspect you have a “Cheerios” Sacagawea dollar, it’s highly recommended to consult with a reputable coin expert or consider submitting it to a professional grading service for authentication and grading. They can accurately assess the coin’s features and provide a definitive determination.
These coins were part of a promotion where 5,500 were distributed in Cheerios cereal boxes in 2000, making them quite rare and potentially valuable to collectors.
How do I tell if my Sacagawea coin is valuable?
As with any collectible item, the better the condition, the higher its value. A Sacagawea coin in pristine condition with no damage and minimal wear will fetch a higher price than one that shows signs of heavy circulation or has scratches or dents.
What does the 2000-P Sacagawea Cheerios coin look like?
From my experience, It wasn’t until 2005 that anyone realized that the 2000-P Sacagawea coins in the original Cheerios packaging were different. The Cheerios coins have highly detailed diagonal tail feathers. The rest of the non-Cheerios coins have parallel tail feathers.