Native American dollar in set has special finish

Buyers of the 2014 American $1 Coin and Currency Set that went on sale Nov. 20 got a holiday surprise.

The set, which sells for $13.95, contains one Enhanced Uncirculated finish 2014 Native American $1 coin from the United States Mint at Denver and one 2013 $1 note from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

But what was omitted from initial descriptions of the set was the enhanced finish applied to the coin.

“This information was inadvertently left off the product description initially,” according to Mike White of the U.S. Mint Public Affairs staff.

As of Dec. 2, 14,073 units had been sold, White said, and the set is currently out of stock.

“We plan to have inventory back in stock (the week of Dec. 8),” White said. “We expect to produce the set’s total maximum of 50,000 units.”

Being an Enhanced Uncirculated program, the base finish on the obverse and reverse was wire brushed, according to the Mint. This was developed specifically for this program and implemented into production for the first time. This approach gives the coins a bright finish without appearing polished like proof coins do.

The enhanced finish coin is only available as part of the set and will not be sold individually.

The coin’s obverse retains the central figure of the “Sacagawea” design first produced in 2000.

On the obverse, standard laser frosting was applied to the field and particular elements of the artwork to accentuate the design. Specific elements of the artwork and all lettering are in the wire brush finish to further accentuate them against the laser frosted field.

The reverse of the 2014 Native American $1 Coin depicts a Native American man offering a pipe while his wife offers provisions of fish, corn, roots, and gourds. In the background is a stylized image of the face of William Clark’s compass highlighting “NW,” the area in which the expedition occurred.

On the reverse, standard laser frosting was applied to the field. A lighter level of laser frosting was then applied to particular elements of the artwork to enable them to stand out. Specific elements of the artwork, all lettering and the compass are in the wire brush finish to further accentuate the design.

Orders will be accepted at http://catalog.usmint.gov and at 1-800-USA-MINT. When products are in an “Out of Stock” status, they cannot be ordered online or through the customer contact center, but customers can request to be reminded when the product will be returning to sale through the “Remind Me” function on the product detail page.

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