2010 Native American Dollar Design Released

The United States Mint has announced the reverse design for the upcoming 2010 Native American Dollar. The design is based on the theme “Government – The Great Tree of Peace.”
The reverse depicts the Hiawatha Belt, which is a visual record of the creation of the Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois Confederacy. The central figure on the belt is the Great White Pine, representing the Onondaga Nation. The four squares represent the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga and Seneca Nations. A bundle of arrows encircled by the belt symbolizes strength in unity for the Iroquois Confederacy. Inscriptions include “Haudenosaunee”, “Great Law of Peace”, “United States of America”, and the denomination “$1”. The reverse was designed by Thomas Cleveland.

The obverse of the coin will feature the familiar portrait of Sacagawea designed by Glenna Goodacre. This design was used on the obverse of the prior Sacagawea Dollar series from 2000 to 2008 and is used (with removal of some of the inscriptions) for the Native American Dollar series.

Earlier in the year, the United States Mint had released five separate design candidates for the 2010 Native American Dollar. Four of the designs featured the “Great Tree of Peace.” This is a white pine tree topped by an eagle. A Native American leader buried weapons here to symbolize the peace treaty formed between the five nations. The fifth design, which was ultimately selected, featured the Hiawatha Belt. Both the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) had favored the Hiawatha Belt design.

The United States Mint will issue the new coins beginning in January 2010 and continuing throughout the year. The Native American Dollar series began in 2009 to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Native Americans. By law, at least twenty percent of all dollar coins produced by the United States Mint are required to be Native American Dollars.

2009 Proof Platinum Eagle

Separately, I wanted to provide some additional information about the reverse design selected for the 2009 Proof Platinum Eagle, which had generated a great deal of response from readers. The new design features four faces to represent the diversity of the Nation with intertwined hair and clothing symbolizing the principle “To Form a More Perfect Nation.”
This design will be the first in a multi year series of designs which represent the core concepts of American democracy by featuring the six principles of the Preamble of the US Constitution. The theme of the current and subsequent reverse designs of the series are inspired by narratives prepared by Chief Justice of the United States, John G. Roberts, Jr., at the request of the United States Mint.

I believe that the narrative “To Form a More Perfect Union” had been provided to the artists who prepared candidate designs and the CFA and CCAC when they reviewed designs, but I have not seen it published publicly. I requested and obtained a copy of the narrative. On my latest article for Coin Update News, you can read the full narrative “To Form a More Perfect Union” which inspired the 2009 Proof Platinum Eagle design.

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Comments

  1. Diversity Dan says

    Thank you Michael for posting Chief Justice Roberts' narrative about a "More Perfect Union." It was exactly as I thought… " a unity of common beliefs that Americans of all backgrounds throughout history have embraced."

    The picture associated with this article appears to be that of the proof version of this platinum coin. And what a real beauty it is! I am more inclined now to actually buy this coin.

    Thank you again.

  2. Jake says

    Is the 2010 Native America Dollar coin going to be available on the US Mint's Direct Ship?

    The 2009 Native America Dollar was available.

  3. Michael says

    No word yet about whether 2010 Native American Dollars will be added to Direct Ship. Last year this was announced in mid-December.

  4. John says

    I have to agree that this design is fantastic. I would also bet that it will indeed be on the direct ship program. During part of the direct ship program for the sacagawea last year they had increased the maximum from 250 dollars to 5000 dollars. They did not have an order limit that high on any of the presidential dollars.

  5. Anonymous says

    Michael,
    I'm a newbie to mint collecting and appreciate your info….do we know how long the 2009-w platinum will be available?
    TX…

  6. Anonymous says

    OK, I'll go with this one. Decent obverse, unlike the new shield cent. Too bad the coin won't be used in commerce but then it will be relegated to being just another coin audience offering just like Kenndy halves.

  7. Anonymous says

    It used to be that the purpose and methods of communism were to process and homogenize humanity. Perhaps that has changed recently!

  8. Anonymous says

    I am so pleased that the US Mint believes in diversity. Imagine how much American culture has been enriched by the contributions of:

    * American Indians (Buffalo gold, Sacagawea dollars, gold $2.50 coins, etc.)

    * African Americans (Jackie Robinson gold, Booker T. Washington silver, etc.)

    * Women (Lady Liberty, St. Gaudens, etc.).

    Diver$ity $hould make many of you happy. Gue$$ why???

  9. Anonymous says

    Before getting misty eyed on the design of the Native American Dollar, let us remember that the Iroquois marched into the Great Lake region to take over the fur trade and fought and wiped out some of Native American tribes in the Great Lakes before being stopped by the French and Great Lakes Native Americans. So much for "Law of Peace." Many Great Lake Native American's lost their scalps, lives and land in that the "Beaver War" of 1640's.

  10. Anonymous says

    Why must our coins feature people? If you look at coins from other countries, you will see, in many cases, images of animals/wildlife, plants/flowers, or iconic images.

    But then again, I guess if we feature only one or two creatures (like eagles, hawks, etc.), someone will whine about the diversity issue and demand that an image of the wild turkey should be put on a coin….

  11. Anonymous says

    With respect to Anonymous on November 28, 2009, at 10:39 AM, and Juanita at 12:22 PM, how about one of J. Edgar Hoover, long-time Director of the FBI? This way we could have the combination of a white male while achieving the diversity of a known cross-dresser. He could be shown in one of the many dresses he was said to favor. Now, that would be an interesting diversity coin!

    Mr. Blackwell and J.P. Gaultier

  12. Anonymous says

    Diversity, as portrayed, represents what has destroyed our nation's public educational system. It has established the home invasion gangs of California. American Indians are not representative of anything current in the U. S. How about a coin with Italians or Irish, or Germans. They stand in larger numbers than Indians and they have made important contributions to the Country

  13. Anonymous says

    Re: Anonymous at November 29, 2009 7:12 AM

    It is sad that so many bigoted and racially insensitive rednecks frequent this blog. It's sad that so many of them are coin collectors.

    I guess it's money, coins, and get-rich opportunities that attract so many white men like you to the hobby.

    White men, as portrayed on many US coins, represent what has destroyed our nation's public social system. It has established the home invasion gangs of Western Americans against American Indians.

  14. Anonymous says

    The future of America will be painted with a diverse palate. The past USA movers and shakers(Geo.Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln etc.) were primary white men, thus most coins and paper money with actual people on it from the USA have White men. I'm sure the future will be more diverse.

    It's too bad people try to force the issue with the silly clearly "forced" design of the new platinum eagle or bash the idea of existing "White men" coins.
    Diversity is here to stay, but it is a relatively new concept for people in power in this country. This is a process that will produce more "diverse" coinage in the future, but it should not in any way take away from what the dead white men in the past did for our country.
    The 2010 Native American dollar looks like a nice design and too bad it is not available in some form of silver option.

  15. Anonymous says

    I've been dreaming about a silver $ac collector coin for quite a few years now. Let's hope the mint buckles and makes one of these soon.

    On another note about a previous comment: "American Indians are not representative of anything current in the U. S."

    Makes me wonder what is going on here…???

  16. Anonymous says

    Why is it if I ask "where is the white guy?", I am labeled a redneck bigot? Yet Juanita can say a racist comment like "Anything but another white male is worth recognizing on a coin.", and nobody says so much as "boo"? This just shows that racism/sexism is more rampant among minorities than it is among white guys.

    This coin is a joke, and Justice Roberts' comments were extrapolated to the max to imply that "a more perfect union" would only be perfect if white guys were out of the picture.

    This union will never get close to perfect as long as we have lawmakers who create special rules for minorities (affirmative action, gay marriage and the like), and laws that make motive a crime. Hate is a motive, not a crime. Why is it if I attack somebody, it is a felony, if I call them a bad name before I attack them, well, now it is a federal offense. I can't wait for the day when these rules backfire on the ones they are intended to help.

    Okay, I am done for now…goa ahead and start calling me a redneck bigot…ohh, and don't forget ignorant.

  17. Anonymous says

    Anon 10:27AM,

    You are right, guys like Roosevelt and Kenndy have destroyed the social fiber of this nation, but home invasion gangs? I don't recall seeing the marching orders for this on the dime.

  18. Anonymous says

    It looks like some want diversity of everything except an opinion they don't like or agree with. This is a trait of those who want only harmony as they see it.

  19. Edith Bunker says

    Anonymous at November 29, 2009 2:31 PM

    You sound alot like my husband Archie. And what I would say to him would be,

    Oh Archie, you're saying people are calling you a "redneck bigot" and "ignorant." But the only thing I have to say to them is "It is what it is."

  20. Anonymous says

    The platinum coin is so repulsive that I wouldn't even take it for free. The mint better find some new artists, and find try to find ones that don’t have an ‘art degree.’ Seems like whoever is issuing these art degrees has some really poor taste and consideration into what is fine art.

    Seriously, the coin discriminates against white males intentionally by leaving them off of the coin. Before you start lighting your torches getting ready to chant racist, I will have you know that I am completely for equality for everyone – and I wish we had more freedom in this country than we do now. However, our government has been sabotaging many liberties for a while now. There’s no reason why a more symbol-based approach couldn’t have been used on this coin – rather than to select a few random people of different races. It would have made more sense – to include everybody through symbolism.

    Just look how disgraceful our modern coinage has been. Virtually every circulating coin features some royal president on it. What a complete disgrace. I do not and will not collect such corrupt tokens, and would rather throw them down the sewer than to hold them in my pocket.

  21. Anonymous says

    I find it hard to believe that someone would say they would not take this coin for FREE! Come on, even if you don't want it, SELL it! I would welcome the money that an ounce of platinum would bring, and so would you!

  22. Anonymous says

    With equal pleasure I have as often taken notice that Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people–a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs, and who, by their joint counsels, arms, and efforts, fighting side by side throughout a long and bloody war, have nobly established general liberty and independence.

    ****************************

    Federalist Papers

  23. Token White Male says

    Anonymous of November 29, 2009 2:31 PM:

    I see at least two big differences between Juanita's racism and yours.

    First, you say racist things and then claim that you're not racist. Juanita, for all her racism, isn't denying it as you are.

    Second, no one's going to take a "oh no – not another white person!" comment seriously, anyway. The contributions of white men are undeniable and there's about a snowballs chance in hell that white men won't continue to be depicted on coins. Honestly, if this coin unsettles you so much then you have no one to blame but your hyperventilating self.

    It's interesting… some of the biggest opponents of same-sex marriage have, themselves, been gay. Larry Craig, Mark Foley, etc.

    I almost have to wonder if you, similarly, have some sort of secret desire to be a minority, and that that's why you feel so threatened by this coin.

  24. Anonymous says

    Yes, I have a secret desire to become a minority. That's the big plan!

    I just think there were better ways to depict this concept. What happened to the artistry in US coinage?

    It shouldn't have been focused on particular groups of people. Real art would have depicted diversity in a unique fashion, but someone thought hey, if we throw in a typical looking Indian, African American on it, it'll fit the bill!

    And then to label these particular groups "a more perfect union" is flawed and insulting, because it was either perfect or not to begin with. Plus, it sends the message that others weren't as perfect.

    So chalk up another one to Ed Moy and friends, as they continue their comical series of failure. Coming up on next week's episode: Silver eagle series ends in 2010, replaced with US Government Building Silver Dollars! A program that stretches 30 years and will be minted in 4 different mints and three varieties each year, in 10 oz size!

  25. Anonymous says

    Oh yeah – I like how you labeled me a racist too. Very typical. It's the only defense you got. Fail.

  26. Edith Bunker says

    Anonymous at November 29, 2009 9:03 PM

    Archie, you can't help it if you're a racist or bigot. You were raised that way and grew up in a sheltered environment.

    It is what it is, Archie

  27. Anonymous says

    Oh yeah – I like how you labeled me a racist too. Very typical. It's the only defense you got. Fail.

  28. Communist Chris says

    Oh yeah – I like how you labeled me a racist too. Very typical. It's the only defense you got. Fail.

    Spot on! Well, at least if you ignore every other paragraph Token White Male wrote. But if you do do that, it's the only defense he's got! Fail!

  29. Anonymous says

    The people who are making all these negative comments about the platinum eagle would agree with all the ideas of the Third Reich.

  30. Charles Dickens says

    Racist? What about misogynist? It isn't that the bigots posting here want a white person on the coin because they already have that. What they want is a white male. Apparently being a white female isn't good enough.

    I just hope the police go easy on them when they're brought in for beating their wives.

  31. Anonymous says

    PEOPLE:PLEASE STOP WITH ALL THE RACISM NONSENSE. IT'S GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO SIFT THROUGH ALL THIS JUNK JUST TO FIND THE ACTUAL POINT OF THIS BLOG – COINS!!!!!!!!

    TAKE THE STUPID ARGUING SOMEWHERE ELSE BEFORE WE LOSE THIS FANTASTIC FORUM

  32. Anonymous says

    Just an ugly coin IMO (no matter what race the faces are). I'm not too fond of two headed coins (five in this case). People will vote for it or against it with their wallet.

    If someone from the mint is reading, hope you understand, you can't please everyone all the time. Thar said, in the past you created the Walking Liberty, Indian cent and buffalo nickel, I've never heard anyone complain. These are examples of what people really want.

  33. Anonymous says

    Comments found on this blog can't be helped. When there are eagles soaring and turkeys (such as Anonymous at November 29, 2009 2:31 PM) gobbling on the ground, you're going to find those who rise to the occasion and idiots who continue to peck at a piece of corn like there's no tomorrow.

    You gotta pity those who have such a narrow, one-side view of the world. Makes you wonder what they are afraid of…. LOL.

  34. Anonymous says

    Now that we've got a "diversity" coin (and an ugly one at that), I think someone here needs to contact the mint (and their respective representatives) to request a "global warming" coin.

    The coin could have al gore (with a beard of course) on the obverse and a bunch of so called "scientists" deleting data from their hard drives on the reverse.

    Anyone else like my idea?

  35. Right Wing Pundit says

    Let's have a "United States of Kenya" coin while we're at it! And a "One Nation Under Allah"! And let's bring back the hammer and sickle, too!

  36. Anonymous says

    I personally like the new dollar design. Conversely, I hate the platinum coin. Fortunately, the dollar coin is much cheaper than the platinum. Woo Hoo!

  37. Michael says

    "I'm a newbie to mint collecting and appreciate your info….do we know how long the 2009-w platinum will be available?"

    Sorry for the delay in getting back to this question. It's difficult to say exactly how long the coins will be available. The US Mint can produce the coins for the rest of 2009, but can sell the coins into 2010 if remaining inventory exists.

    On the off chance customers place orders for the maximum 8,000 mintage, the coins would sell out when the limit is reached. I will have figures posted here for the opening sales next week Tuesday.

  38. Anonymous says

    Presentation case for the US Mints most expensive coin looks ghastly. Could it look any more unappealing??

  39. Anonymous says

    With all of the special consideration and advantages that minorities get, who wouldn't want to be a minority?

    At least I know that as a white male trying to establish himself in the academic world, I truly deserve whatever positions or awards I receive. Since minorities typically get everything by default, a white male must work especially hard to distinguish himself. I can be proud of what I get because I know I actually earned it.

    Sometimes I wonder if any minorities have doubts that they deserve what they got, or if they wonder if they are only there because someone felt sorry for them.

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