Pixe

Sem 6

The Sacagawea Dollar

Background Story: The new golden dollar has on the front the image of
Sacagawea who was the Shoshone woman who guided the Lewis and Clark
expedition. The criterion for the new dollar was that it had to work in vending
machines the same way as the old Susan B. Anthony dollar. This meant that it
had to be the same size and weight. In addition it had to have the same
electromagnetic response as the old dollar. In other words, when an alternating
magnetic field is applied, it must respond the same way. This made it very hard
to find an alloy to make the coin out of, especially as the mint wanted to produce
a coin that was golden in appearance. The mint had a great deal of trouble finding
an alloy that would work and a special one had to be developed.

Coin Composition: The new dollar is made of the special alloy on the surface and a pure copper core. The face alloy, which comprises one fourth of the thickness on each side consists of 77 percent copper, 12 percent zinc, 7 percent manganese, and 4 percent nickel. This alloy is said to have the same luster as 14 carat gold. The fact that the coin works well in vending machines means that vending machine companies do not have to retool their machines and this should make the coin more popular with consumers.

Coin Features: Sacagawea guided the Lewis and Clark expedition from 1804 to 1806. In the picture she is carrying on her back her sleeping infant son, Jean Baptiste.

The obverse side of the coin was designed by Glenna Goodacre, whose initials appear near the bottom engraved into Sacagaweas robes. Click here to see a magnified picture!

The reverse side of the coin was designed by Thomas D. Rogers Sr., whose initials appear near the eagle's tail. Click here to see a magnified picture!