The United States Mint has released high-resolution images of the 2023 Native American Dollar. Next year, the coin will feature ballerina Maria Tallchief on the Reverse. Considered to be America’s first prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief broke barriers as a Native American ballerina (Osage Nation), exhibiting strength and resilience on and off the stage.
The Reverse design of the 2023 Native American Dollar comes from Ben Sowards from the Artistic Infusion Program of the Mint. The design was sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.
The Native American Dollar started in 2000 and was initially referred to as the Sacagawea Dollar. In 2009, the program required a new Reverse design to be introduced yearly. To determine which designs to depict on the coins, officials from the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the Native American Caucus, and the National Congress of American Indians were consultants. They appointed a liaison to the United States Mint. Each year, with consultation from the National Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian Institution, 12-15 designs are sent to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). Once final selections are made, they are sent to the Secretary of the Treasury for approval. It is an excellent, inclusive program and process. The coins also became referred to as the Native American Dollar series.
You can read more about the Native American Dollar in this Coin History Article.
The 2023 Native American Dollar is scheduled to be released on February 6, 2023. On release day, the Mint will offer bags and rolls of the coins.