Rare 2011 Sacagawea Dollar With Reverse Error Sells for $2.2M at Auction

Imagine discovering a coin in your loose change that could make you a millionaire. That’s exactly what happened with a rare 2011 Sacagawea Dollar carrying a dramatic reverse rotation error, which stunned collectors by selling for an astonishing $2.2 million at a 2025 auction. The coin, honoring the legendary Shoshone guide Sacagawea, features a rare minting mistake where the reverse is flipped 180 degrees from the obverse an error so uncommon that only a few examples are known to exist.

A Coin with a Historic Touch

The Sacagawea Dollar was first introduced in 2000 to honor the Native American woman who played a crucial role in the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 2011, nearly 49.5 million pieces rolled out from the Philadelphia Mint, but a tiny batch carried the extraordinary rotation flaw. Instead of aligning normally, the eagle design on the reverse sits completely upside-down when compared to Sacagawea’s portrait.

At a Heritage Auctions event in August 2025, one of these error coins, graded an almost flawless MS-68 by PCGS, set a record with its multimillion-dollar sale cementing its place as one of the most valuable modern U.S. coins ever sold.

Why Collectors Went Wild

The secret behind the coin’s sky-high value lies in its rarity, pristine condition, and dramatic error. While an ordinary Sacagawea Dollar is worth just a single buck, the flipped reverse transforms it into a collector’s prize. The $2.2 million specimen dazzled with sharp details, perfect surfaces, and its golden-manganese sheen. Even lower-grade versions of the same error can command $5,000 to $50,000, making them highly desirable for numismatists.

Could You Have One Hiding in Change?

Here’s where things get exciting since these error coins were made for everyday circulation, there’s still a slim chance that one could be hiding in coin jars, bank rolls, or even tucked inside your wallet. The record-breaking sale has triggered a treasure hunt across the country, with collectors scouring their change and sharing discoveries online.

Spotting the Error

Want to check your coins? Here’s how:

1. Look for a 2011 Sacagawea Dollar (no mint mark = Philadelphia).
2. Flip it vertically (top to bottom). If the eagle is upside-down compared to Sacagawea’s face, you may have the rare error.
3. The coin should weigh 8.1 grams with a golden edge.
4. Never clean the coin, as cleaning destroys its collectible value.

If you suspect you’ve got one, take it to a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC for authentication.

Turning Change into a Fortune

If you do stumble upon one of these treasures, handle it with care use gloves, store it in a protective holder, and avoid unnecessary handling. Auction houses such as Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers can help you fetch top dollar, especially if it’s in pristine condition. Even regular 2011 Sacagawea Dollars in mint state can bring modest premiums, but the rotation error coins are in a league of their own.

This $2.2 million sale proves that sometimes, everyday pocket change can hold life-changing surprises reminding us that treasure might just be closer than we think.