Sometimes, valuable things hide in the most unexpected places. This is the story of a man named Evan Clarke, who found a rare and valuable coin that many people might have ignored. The coin was a Sacagawea dollar, but at first, Evan thought it was just a token from an arcade or a game. This mistake turned out to change his life forever.
Finding the Coin by Accident
Evan was helping his grandmother clean out her garage in Oregon. Among old boxes and forgotten items, he found a tin full of coins. One coin looked different from the rest. It was golden but felt strange in weight and color. At first, Evan thought it was just a fake token, not real money.
But something about the coin made him curious. It had the picture of Sacagawea, a Native American woman who helped guide the famous explorers Lewis and Clark. The back showed an eagle flying. This was normal for Sacagawea dollars made between 2000 and 2008. Still, the coin’s metal and edge seemed unusual.
The Big Discovery: A Minting Error
Evan took the coin to a local coin shop to get it checked. The expert told him something amazing — the coin was a rare mint error! It was a Sacagawea dollar, but it was made on a metal planchet (the blank metal disc coins are stamped on) meant for a different coin called the Susan B. Anthony dollar.
These coins were made around the year 2000 when the U.S. Mint was switching from the Susan B. Anthony dollar to the Sacagawea dollar. Only a few error coins like this were ever made, and they are very valuable to collectors.
Why Is This Coin So Valuable?
This coin is rare because very few were made by mistake. Collectors love coins with mistakes because they are unique and special. The coin’s unusual weight, metal, and appearance make it one of the rarest coins in existence.
James Holloway, a professional coin expert, said that coins like this could be worth between $50,000 and $100,000, depending on their condition. When Evan got his coin certified by a top grading agency, it was sold at an auction for $78,500.
How the Coin Changed Evan’s Life
Evan used the money from selling the coin to pay off his student loans, invest in his small business, and save money to keep collecting coins. He said that finding the coin made him realize that history can be hidden in everyday things — even in a jar of old coins.
Why You Should Check Your Coins
The Sacagawea dollar was created to help people use coins in daily life. However, it was never very popular, so many coins were saved or thrown away. Some of these coins might have special mistakes that make them worth much more than their face value.
Collectors say that while rare coins are hard to find, anyone can get lucky. If you have old coins, it might be worth taking a closer look or asking an expert.
Conclusion: Hidden Treasures in Plain Sight
Evan Clarke’s story is a reminder that sometimes ordinary objects, like coins, can have hidden value. These coins carry history and surprises that can change lives. If you have old coins, it’s a good idea to check them carefully. You never know — your next big discovery might be waiting in your own coin jar.
FAQ’s
What is a Sacagawea dollar?
It’s a U.S. dollar coin introduced in 2000 featuring Sacagawea, a Native American woman, with a golden color but no real gold inside.
Why was the coin mistaken for a token?
Because its metal and weight felt different, some people thought it was a game or arcade token, not real money.
How much was the rare Sacagawea dollar worth?
The rare mint error coin sold for $78,500 at auction, a much higher value than its normal $1 face value.
