WASHINGTON — Consumers, financial institutions and businesses can order new 2009 Native American $1 Coins directly from the United States Mint through its Direct Ship Program beginning at noon Eastern Time, on January 2, 2009. The new circulating $1 coins will be available at face value on the United States Mint secure Web site, www.usmint.gov. Telephone orders also will be accepted at the toll–free number, 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468).
“By ordering through our Direct Ship Program, businesses and consumers have the convenience and flexibility of purchasing manageable quantities of circulating $1 coins at face value,” said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.
Like circulating Presidential $1 Coins, the United States Mint will offer the new circulating Native American $1 Coins in 25–coin rolls packaged in quantities of 10 rolls per box with a face value of $250. The coins will not be separated by mint mark. Customers may order a maximum of two boxes, for a total of 500 Native American $1 Coins. The United States Mint will pay the shipping and handling fees on orders delivered via standard shipping methods. Shipping and handling fees on orders requiring special handling (e.g., shipping upgrades) will be billed to the customer. All sales through the Direct Ship Program are final.
The reverse of the Native American $1 Coin will feature a new design each year. The reverse of the 2009–dated coin, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Norman E. Nemeth, is based on an agricultural theme. The design depicts a Native American woman planting seeds in a field of corn, beans and squash, representing the Three Sisters method of planting. Inscriptions on the reverse are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and $1.
The obverse (heads side) of the Native American $1 Coin, by sculptor Glenna Goodacre, will feature the Golden Dollar’s striking image of Sacagawea, the young Shoshone woman who accompanied Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their historic expedition.