9 mins read

2017-P Sacagawea Dollar Value: Is Your Coin Worth Money?

The 2017-P Sacagawea Dollar is worth anywhere from $1 in circulated condition to over $150 in high-grade mint state. For most everyday Americans, finding this gold-colored coin in a drawer or jar is a fun surprise, though its value depends heavily on its specific condition and luster.

Condition / Grade Estimated Value (USD)
Circulated (Average) $1.00 – $1.25
About Uncirculated (AU) $1.50 – $2.50
Mint State (MS63 – MS65) $5.00 – $15.00
High Mint State (MS67+) $100.00+

History of the 2017-P Native American Dollar

The 2017-P Sacagawea Dollar, technically known as the Native American $1 Coin, is part of a series that began in 2000. While early versions featured the same eagle reverse, the 2017 edition honors the Sequoia, a symbol of Sequoia High School and a tribute to the “Sequoyah” writing system of the Cherokee Nation.

If you have found one of these coins in your pocket change, you might be wondering if you hit the jackpot. To quickly determine if yours is a standard strike or a rare gem, you can use a free coin identifier app to scan the details.

Most of these coins were minted in Philadelphia (indicated by the “P” mint mark). By 2017, the U.S. Mint no longer produced many dollar coins for general circulation. Instead, they were primarily minted for collectors, which explains why they are much scarcer in your local grocery store than quarters or dimes.

Identifying the 2017-P Sacagawea Dollar Features

The obverse of the coin retains the classic portrait of Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. This design by Glenna Goodacre has become an icon of American numismatics. However, the reverse is what makes the 2017 version unique, featuring a profile of Sequoyah writing “Cherokee Nation” in the Syllabary he invented.

Unlike earlier coins where the date was on the face, the 2017 date and mint mark are located on the edge of the coin. If you look at the rim, you will see “2017 P,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and thirteen stars. The golden color comes from a manganese-brass cladding over a pure copper core.

Using the CoinKnow app can help you examine these edge inscriptions more closely. Often, the quality of the lettering on the rim can affect the overall market price. Collectors pay a premium for “Position A” or “Position B” edge lettering, which refers to whether the text is upright or inverted relative to the portrait.

The Current 2017-P Native American Dollar Price Guide

When looking at the market, the current 2017-P Native American dollar price data suggests that most specimens found in the wild are only worth face value. Because these were sold in rolls and bags directly to collectors, many exist in pristine condition.

For a coin to be worth more than a dollar, it must be in “uncirculated” condition. This means it has no scratches from being in a vending machine or a cash register. Collectors use a scale from 1 to 70 to grade coins, with 60 through 70 representing “Mint State” (MS) coins.

Numerical Grade Descriptive Grade Estimated Market Value
MS60-MS63 Choice Uncirculated $3 – $7
MS64-MS65 Gem Uncirculated $10 – $22
MS66 Superb Gem $35 – $60
MS67-MS68 Museum Quality $125 – $450

Why Condition Is Everything for Your Coin

If you find a 2017-P Sacagawea dollar in your change, it has likely been “circulated.” This means it has touched other coins, hands, and surfaces, leading to tiny nicks and a loss of that original mint luster. Unfortunately, once a coin is circulated, its value to serious collectors drops significantly.

However, if you happen to have a roll of these from the bank that has never been opened, you might have a hidden treasure. The 2017-P Sacagawea dollar value and numismatic information indicate that coins graded MS67 or higher are quite rare and can sell at auction for hundreds of dollars.

To get an accurate sense of where your coin stands, the CoinKnow app provides a high-resolution scanning feature. By comparing your coin’s surface to known high-grade examples, you can decide if it’s worth the fee to have the coin professionally graded by a service like PCGS or NGC.

Minting Quantities and Rarity Factors

In 2017, the Philadelphia Mint produced approximately 1.82 million of these dollars. While that sounds like a lot, it is a very small number compared to the hundreds of millions of quarters or pennies minted in the same year. This lower mintage is what keeps the value slightly above a dollar for mint-state specimens.

It is also important to note that there are different finishes. Most 2017-P dollars have a standard “business strike” finish. However, the Mint also produced special “Enhanced Uncirculated” versions as part of a 225th Anniversary Coin & Chronicles set. These have a different visual texture and are much more valuable.

Check the following table to see how mintage affects the rarity of the 2017 dollar compared to other years in the series. Note that the Denver (D) mint also produced a similar quantity.

Mint Mark Mintage Type Quantity Produced
2017-P Business Strike ~1,820,000
2017-D Business Strike ~1,540,000
2017-S Proof Strike ~914,000

How to Store and Protect Your Golden Dollars

If you discover that your 2017-P Sacagawea dollar is in excellent condition, you must protect it immediately. The manganese-brass surface of these coins is notorious for “spotting” or turning a dull brown color when exposed to oils from human skin or humidity.

Never clean your coins! This is the number one mistake made by everyday Americans who find “old” coins. Cleaning a coin with polish or even soap and water creates microscopic scratches that instantly destroy its numismatic value. A cleaned coin will always be worth less than a dirty, original coin.

Instead, place the coin in a PVC-free flip or a plastic capsule. This prevents further oxidation and ensures that if you decide to check its live market value via CoinKnow later on, the grade will have remained stable. Proper storage is the difference between a $1 coin and a $50 coin.

Where to Sell Your 2017 Native American Dollar

Deciding where to sell usually depends on the value of the coin. If the coin is a standard circulated 2017-P dollar, you are best off spending it or keeping it as a memento. Most coin shops will not pay a premium for a single circulated dollar coin because they can’t resell it for a profit.

However, if you have a high-grade MS67 example or an error coin, your options expand. Online auction sites like eBay are popular for mid-range coins. For high-end specimens worth hundreds of dollars, professional numismatic auction houses are the way to go.

Before selling, always research recent “Sold” listings rather than “Asking” prices. Anyone can ask $1,000 for a dollar coin, but that doesn’t mean anyone is buying it. Using a dedicated price guide or an app helps you stay grounded in the reality of the current market.

FAQ

Q: Is the 2017-P Sacagawea Dollar made of real gold?

A: No, it does not contain any real gold. The golden color comes from a mixture of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel. It was designed to be easily distinguishable from a quarter by its color and its smooth, lettered edge.

Q: Where is the mint mark on the 2017-P dollar?

A: Unlike most coins where the “P” or “D” is on the face, the mint mark for the 2017 dollar is located on the edge (the rim) of the coin. You will have to hold the coin on its side to see the year and the mint letter.

Q: Can I find a 2017-P dollar in my pocket change?

A: Yes, but it is rare. Since 2012, the U.S. Mint has only produced dollar coins for collectors. However, sometimes these coins are spent by mistake or released into the wild from broken-up collections, so keep your eyes peeled!

Q: Are there any known errors for the 2017-P Sacagawea Dollar?

A: While there aren’t many famous “major” errors for this specific year, collectors always look for “weak edge lettering” or “doubled die” errors. If the writing on the edge is missing or blurry, the coin could be worth significantly more.

Q: How much should I pay for a 2017-P dollar at a coin show?

A: For a nice, uncirculated specimen in a raw (unprotected) state, you should expect to pay between $2 and $5. If the coin is already graded and sealed in a plastic slab by PCGS or NGC, the price will depend on the specific numerical grade on the label.