Native American (2009 to Date)

Since 2009, the reverse of the golden dollar has featured an annually changing design that memorializes Native Americans and, in the words of the authorizing legislation, “the important contributions made by Indian tribes and individual Native Americans to the development [and history] of the United States.” The Native American $1 Coin Act also calls for edge marking on the coins. The year of minting and mintmark are incused on the edge, as is the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The coins’ designs are chosen by the secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, the Congressional Native American Caucus of the House of Representatives, the Commision of Fine Arts, and the National Congress of American Indians. They are also reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

The original act allowed for the minting of Uncirculated and Proof coins in each design. It also specified that at least 20% of the total mintage of dollar coins in any given year (including Presidential dollars) will be Native American dollars. Production of all dollar coins minted after 2011 is limited to numismatic sales; none will be issued for circulation.