The Cheerios Dollar
In 2000, when the coin was introduced, 5500 of them were given away in boxes of Cheerios as a promotion. Turns out that these Cheerios Dollars were slightly different than all the other Sacagawea Dollars.
The tail feathers of the eagle on the reverse side of the coin had more details than the normal coin, and this made them more valuable. However, most of these Cheeries Dollars disappeared into circulation, and only around 70 of them have ever been found.
Detail of the tail feathers on a normal Sacagawea Dollar
The tail feathers on a Cheerios Dollar
Comments
I've been handling money, professionally, one way or the other all my life and what people hang onto is, sometimes, just plain nutz! My dad had hundreds of silver dollars (the big ones). I had a great aunt that had huge jars full of coins hidden all over her house. The US mint has been trying to drop the penny for decades but the population won't let them yet they insist on minting a dollar the size of a quarter that they can't seem to give away! I had a client come in one day and made a cash deposit. After counting the money I found hundreds of dollars worth of silver certificates! Go figure!
My "hang on to" coins were the Kennedy halves and Eisenhower dollars. For years I had a bag full of them, all of which were the "sandwich" verity. One time when my passport needed renewing I found that my bag of money was almost equal to the upcoming bill. The cashier (non-American) didn't want to take "change" until her supervisor (American) informed here that they were legal tender.
My "hang on to" coins were the Kennedy halves and Eisenhower dollars. For years I had a bag full of them, all of which were the "sandwich" verity. One time when my passport needed renewing I found that my bag of money was almost equal to the upcoming bill. The cashier (non-American) didn't want to take "change" until her supervisor (American) informed here that they were legal tender.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 07/15/12 at 09:48 AM
On the rare occasion I get one of those dollar coins, I get rid of it as fast as I can. I hate them.
Posted by Robert on 07/15/12 at 11:30 AM
I do not like the gold colored dollar coins. Man I hope I find a Cheerios dollar, I'd sell it so fast!
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 07/15/12 at 02:34 PM
I've seen and spent probably two of the dollar coins and never heard of the 'Cheerio's' Sacagawea's. They are rare hearabouts.
I think it's a shame that she should be immortalized this way instead of York - Clark's slave. No telling what duties he had to perform as a 'man-servant' beyond tagging along with ol' buddy Clark...
I think it's a shame that she should be immortalized this way instead of York - Clark's slave. No telling what duties he had to perform as a 'man-servant' beyond tagging along with ol' buddy Clark...
Posted by stan on 07/15/12 at 02:44 PM
I wish the US would get its act together, and produce a viable dollar coin. Then ensure it's used by quitting wasting my tax dollars printing $1 bills. Of course, the traditionalists will bewail the loss of Ol' George, but I figure you could always put him on a $200 bill.
The other thing about a Sacajawea dollar is it's almost indistinguishable from a British 2p piece - they're the same diameter and thickness, both have smooth edges, and they are of similar color. But the 2p piece is only worth around three US cents. If it weren't for the fact that the USSS would come after me, it would be interesting to see if coin slots would confuse the two - not for criminal purposes, but just to see what would happen.
The other thing about a Sacajawea dollar is it's almost indistinguishable from a British 2p piece - they're the same diameter and thickness, both have smooth edges, and they are of similar color. But the 2p piece is only worth around three US cents. If it weren't for the fact that the USSS would come after me, it would be interesting to see if coin slots would confuse the two - not for criminal purposes, but just to see what would happen.
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 07/15/12 at 11:42 PM
The US is so paranoid about "high denomination bills" that they've removed the $500 and $1,000 bills from circulation long ago. I'd not hold my breath for a $200 bill any time soon.
Years ago the 1/2 drachma coin was EXACTLY the size and weight of a dime but, being the upstanding, straight arrow dude that I am I only know this because someone told me about it.
Years ago the 1/2 drachma coin was EXACTLY the size and weight of a dime but, being the upstanding, straight arrow dude that I am I only know this because someone told me about it.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 07/16/12 at 08:46 AM
That makes sense. IIRC, the US DEA was livid when Europe came out with the €500 bill. Apparently, $1M weighs 20 pounds and fits in a briefcase. €1M would therefore weigh a little under 4 pounds and fit into a pair of cargo shorts.
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 07/16/12 at 09:16 AM
I've seen a €500 once and have had a few €200 but even the €100 are not common. The €50 is the "big number". The smartest thing they did was the €2 coin. The dumbest were the 1 & 2 cent coins and €5 bill.
Those low denomination coins IIRC were produced specifically for Portugal and some of the old Eastern Block countries that were/are/did come in.
Those low denomination coins IIRC were produced specifically for Portugal and some of the old Eastern Block countries that were/are/did come in.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 07/16/12 at 09:34 AM
Prior to these were the "Susie Bees" (Susan B. Anthony) dollar coins, that were even harder to distinguish from quarters, as they were silver in color and maybe two millimeters larger. They were vastly unpopular in the US. So much so, that when I was stationed in Germany in '81-'82, all of our $1 bills were confiscated wherever spent on post, and the only replacements given were Susie Bees and $2 bills, also unpopular at home. Of course, all those dollar coins had to be shipped across the Atlantic, and the dollar bills shipped back. Imagine the weight difference - but that's the Feds for 'ya. 😠
Posted by done on 07/19/12 at 06:35 PM
If it weren't for the Navy to haul you guy's's stuff around, where would you be? 😉
We never saw that action here in Greece. The coins did show up but never in any VAST amounts.
We never saw that action here in Greece. The coins did show up but never in any VAST amounts.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 07/19/12 at 11:55 PM
I think the dollar coins are a waste of our resources. Most people do not like them as they are often mistaken for different denominations. If any changes are to be made, we should get rid of the pennies and just use the nickels, dimes, and quarters. These are sufficient enough to provide proper monetary exchange for purchases etc. IMHO!
Posted by Bill on 10/16/13 at 01:06 PM
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Reposted By: Alex - Mon Mar 12, 2018
Category: Money