A dollar coin in your change could be worth thousands. A rare 2000 Sacagawea Dollar with a special “Cheerios” reverse sold for $14,000 at a 2025 auction, exciting collectors across the USA. These coins were part of a promotion with General Mills, tucked into Cheerios boxes in 2000. Their unique design and limited number make them a treasure, and some are still being spent in everyday transactions.
A Coin from a Cereal Box
In 2000, the U.S. Mint released the Sacagawea Dollar, featuring Native American heroine Sacagawea on the front. As part of a promotion, 5,500 of these coins with a detailed eagle design, called the “Cheerios reverse,” were placed in Cheerios cereal boxes. This reverse has bolder tail feathers than regular Sacagawea Dollars, making it rare. Only a few hundred are known to exist, driving their value sky-high.
High Prices at Auction
The Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar is a collector’s dream. The $14,000 sale in 2025 was for a coin in near-perfect condition, graded MS68. Other Cheerios dollars have sold for big money too, with one fetching $23,000 in 2023. The table below shows recent auction prices for these coins:
| Condition | Year Sold | Auction Price |
|---|---|---|
| MS68 | 2025 | $14,000 |
| MS67 | 2023 | $23,000 |
Found in Everyday Change
These valuable coins are still out there. In 2024, a Michigan woman found a Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar in change from a vending machine, later selling it for $10,000. Another was discovered in a Colorado coin roll, valued at $8,500. These finds prove that rare coins can show up anywhere. The table below lists recent discoveries:
| Year Found | Location | Value at Sale |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Michigan | $10,000 |
| 2023 | Colorado | $8,500 |
How to Spot a Cheerios Dollar
Checking for a Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar is easy with a little care. Look for a 2000 Sacagawea Dollar with a bold eagle on the back, where the tail feathers are thicker and more detailed than usual. The coin should be from the Philadelphia mint, with no mint mark under the date. Use a magnifying glass to compare the eagle to a regular Sacagawea Dollar. Don’t clean the coin, as that can lower its value. Take it to a coin dealer or professional grader for confirmation.
Why They’re So Valuable
The Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar is rare because only 5,500 were made for the cereal promotion, and many were spent or lost. Their unique design, tied to a one-time marketing campaign, adds to their appeal. Coins in great condition, with no wear, fetch the highest prices. As collectors hunt for these, their value is expected to rise, especially as fewer remain in circulation.
The Thrill of the Chase
The idea that a dollar coin in your pocket could be worth $14,000 is exciting. Stories of people finding these coins in everyday places, like stores or old piggy banks, keep collectors and regular folks searching. In 2023, a California man found one in a jar of coins at home, selling it for $12,000. These dollars are a piece of history, linked to a unique moment in American marketing. Next time you get a Sacagawea Dollar, take a close look. You might be holding a small fortune.