The Rare 2000 Sacagawea Dollar with a Washington Quarter Mule –

Imagine holding a coin in your hand that looks normal at first—but on closer inspection, something seems off. It’s round, shiny, and golden like a Sacagawea dollar. But wait—the front shows George Washington, not Sacagawea! Could this be a fake? No, it could actually be one of the most famous mint errors in U.S. history—the 2000 Sacagawea Dollar struck with a Washington Quarter obverse, commonly called the “Mule Coin.” This incredible mistake has sold for over $100,000 and has become a legend in the world of coin collectors. Let’s explore how it happened and why it’s so valuable.

Coin Name: 2000 Sacagawea Dollar – Washington Quarter Mule Error

A “mule” in coin collecting is when two mismatched dies—meaning the designs used to strike the coin—are accidentally paired together. This results in a coin that was never meant to exist. In this case, the obverse (front) of the coin shows George Washington, the design normally found on a quarter, while the reverse (back) shows the Sacagawea design used on the gold-colored dollar coin. This error occurred during the first year of production of the Sacagawea dollar in 2000.

The U.S. Mint accidentally used the quarter obverse die on a dollar coin planchet (the metal blank used to make a coin), creating this mule. It was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, and to date, less than 20 genuine examples have been confirmed by professional graders like PCGS and NGC.

Why This Coin Is So Rare and Valuable

Coin errors are usually caught quickly, but a few of these mules were accidentally released into circulation. When collectors discovered this strange mix-up, the coin world was stunned.

Here’s why this coin is so special:

• Major Design Error: This isn’t a small detail like a misprint—it’s an entire wrong design on one side.
• First of Its Kind: It was the first mule coin ever discovered from regular U.S. coinage.
• Extremely Rare: Fewer than 20 verified examples exist.
• Collector Demand: Serious collectors are willing to pay top dollar for rare mint mistakes.

One of these coins sold for over $190,000 at auction. Even lower-grade examples can sell for $50,000 to $100,000, depending on condition and certification.

How to Spot the 2000 Sacagawea Dollar Mule

Think you might have found one? Here are the clear signs to check:

• George Washington’s Face on Front: Instead of Sacagawea, you’ll see the familiar quarter design.
• Eagle Reverse from the Dollar: The back shows the eagle design that belongs to the Sacagawea dollar.
• Golden Color: It will have the golden tint of a dollar coin, not the silver color of a quarter.
• No Date on Back: The date “2000” is on the front (like a quarter), not on the back (like a Sacagawea dollar).

If you think you have one, don’t try to sell it yourself—get it certified first. Contact a professional coin grading company like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) to verify it.

Table: Key Facts – 2000 Sacagawea Mule Coin

Feature	Detail
Coin Type	Mule Error Coin
Year of Minting	2000
Obverse Design	George Washington (from quarter)
Reverse Design	Eagle (from Sacagawea dollar)
Metal Composition	Manganese-brass (gold color)
Mint Location	Philadelphia
Known Examples	Fewer than 20
Auction Price Range	$50,000 to over $190,00

The 2000 Sacagawea Dollar with a Washington Quarter front is one of the most fascinating coin errors ever made by the U.S. Mint. It’s a perfect storm of mistake, rarity, and timing. Found by chance in change or rolls, it has become a millionaire’s dream in the world of numismatics. If you ever come across a dollar coin that looks like it has George Washington on it—don’t ignore it! You might be looking at a once-in-a-lifetime find worth lakhs or even crores. Always check your coins—because hidden treasures sometimes look very ordinary.

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