Someone just made over $4,000 on a single Sacagawea dollar coin — and you might have one sitting in your collection or change jar. This special variety is known as the “Cheerios” Dollar, and it can be found if you know exactly what to look for.
🥣 Why It’s Called the “Cheerios” Dollar
Back in 1999, as part of a promotion for the launch of the Sacagawea dollar in 2000, the U.S. Mint placed 5,500 of these coins inside boxes of Cheerios cereal. Most were regular strikes, but a small number had a special reverse design with extra details in the eagle’s tail feathers.
💰 Auction Highlight
- Recently, a sealed Cheerios Dollar sold for $4,325.
- Even without the original packaging, this variety can still fetch thousands of dollars — if it has the right details.
🔍 How to Identify a Cheerios Dollar in the Wild
- Check the Date and Mint Mark
- Must be 2000
- Must have a P mint mark (Philadelphia Mint)
- Inspect the Reverse Eagle’s Tail Feathers
- Regular dollar: Tail feathers appear smooth with minimal detail.
- Cheerios dollar: Each tail feather shows distinct, raised lines — crisp and clearly defined.
- Condition Matters
- Higher-grade coins bring higher prices.
- Uncirculated examples are worth far more than worn ones.
📜 Why It’s Valuable
The Cheerios Dollar is essentially a pattern coin — a prototype with a unique reverse design that was never used in regular production. Its rarity, combined with the quirky cereal promotion, makes it one of the most sought-after modern U.S. coins.
✅ Quick Finder’s Checklist
- Year: 2000
- Mint Mark: P
- Reverse: Detailed, sharp tail feather lines
- Possible Value: $3,000–$5,000+ depending on condition and packaging
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