Native American Dollar - Tallchief

The Native American Dollar - Tallchief is the 2023 issue in the ongoing United States Native American $1 Coin series. Each year the series keeps the same obverse portrait of Sacagawea and her infant son while changing the reverse to a new theme celebrating Native American contributions to the nation. The 2023 reverse honors Maria Tallchief, America's first major prima ballerina, and the five Osage ballerinas from Oklahoma.

The coin is a golden-colored dollar struck in manganese brass, giving it a distinctive brass tone rather than the silver-gray of most U.S. coins. It measures about 26.5 mm across, weighs roughly 8.1 grams, and has a smooth (plain) edge carrying incused inscriptions. The face value is one dollar, shown on the reverse as $1. The example shown here is dated 2023 and displays the graceful dancer in profile that defines this issue.

The Native American $1 Coin Program was created by the Native American $1 Coin Act of 2007 and began in 2009, continuing the golden-dollar format introduced with the Sacagawea dollar in 2000. Under the program the Sacagawea obverse is retained every year while the reverse rotates annually to spotlight a different aspect of Native American history and culture.

The 2023 reverse celebrates Maria Tallchief (1925-2013), an Osage citizen widely regarded as the first American prima ballerina, and the wider group of five acclaimed Osage ballerinas often known collectively as the "Five Moons." The design presents a ballet dancer in motion. Like other coins in the series, it was produced primarily for collectors and for limited commercial use rather than heavy general circulation, so most examples reach the public through Mint bags, rolls, and sets.

Look first at the golden brass color: this is a manganese-brass dollar, not a silver-toned coin. The obverse carries the standard series portrait of Sacagawea facing right with her infant son, along with LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. The 2023 reverse is the diagnostic feature, showing a ballet dancer in profile representing Maria Tallchief, with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination $1.

The date, mint mark, and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM are incused (pressed into) on the smooth edge rather than appearing on the faces, which is normal for this series. Mint marks to look for on the edge are P (Philadelphia) or D (Denver) on business strikes, and S (San Francisco) on proof coins made for collectors. The coin's size (about 26.5 mm), weight (about 8.1 g), and plain edge with edge lettering together confirm the type.

As a recent, widely produced circulating-quality coin, the 2023 Native American Tallchief dollar is common and generally worth its face value of one dollar when found in change or in worn condition. Uncirculated business strikes from Mint rolls and bags, and San Francisco proof examples sold in collector sets, carry modest premiums above face value that reflect their finish and packaging rather than rarity.

Because the series is so new and was made in large quantities, no example is a major rarity today. Condition, whether the coin is a proof or an uncirculated business strike, and original Mint packaging are the main factors in any premium. Treat all values as general context; consult current dealer listings or a price guide for up-to-date figures.