COSTA MESA, CA.- Stack’s Bowers Galleries has been selected once again by the United States Mint to present a historic selection of rarities to collectors and investors. Featured in a dedicated auction are a special group of seven 2000-W Sacagawea dollars struck in 22 Karat gold, which traveled nearly 2 million miles in orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1999. These coins have since been stored at the Fort Knox Bullion Depository for more than two decades, and this sale marks the first time they are available for public ownership. This offering by Stack’s Bowers Galleries is a landmark event across the categories of numismatics, aviation, space flight, and the most historic American artifacts.

These space-flown 22 karat gold Sacagawea dollars are ranked #5 among the Top 100 Modern Coins, according to Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), and their very existence has become the stuff of numismatic legend. Originally struck as part of the effort to promote the upcoming new Golden Dollar and in celebration of the first space shuttle flight to be commanded by a woman, USAF Col. (ret.) Eileen Collins, these coins were part of an initial mintage of 39 pieces produced in 22 Karat gold. These coins were struck in a Proof format on specially prepared 1/2oz gold planchets originally intended for the American Eagle bullion coin series. These coins were also struck with the pattern “engraved tailfeathers” reverse design which is shared with the coveted “Cheerios” variety of Sacagawea dollar. This special reverse design was used on only the very first coins struck in the series and was quickly modified to a less detailed design shortly after production began.

Only the 12 best strikes were selected for flight aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, and the remaining 27 Sacagawea coins were destroyed. Of the 12 survivors in 22 karat gold, only seven are available for public ownership, and these are presented exclusively in the Stack’s Bowers Galleries sale. The United States Mint has confirmed that the remaining five coins will be archived in their heritage collection and permanently out of reach for collectors. Each of the coins in this auction are also accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity featuring the signature of Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally. These pieces, which until now have never been issued as coinage, will become monetized as legal tender upon sale. The final auction price for each coin will include $1 to account for the face value of the newly monetized coin.

“We are extremely honored to once again present a historic selection of rarities on behalf of the United State Mint,” said Stack’s Bowers Galleries President Brian Kendrella. “These space-flown 22 Karat gold Sacagawea dollars transcend any single collectible category and stand as true American treasures.”

Also featured in the special auction is the very first struck 2025-W Sacagawea dollar in 24 Karat gold, produced to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the series. These were issued with an extremely low mintage of only 7,500 pieces and quickly sold out during the initial release by the United States Mint. This #1 struck example is the single most important coin from this limited series and represents a crowning jewel for a world class collection of modern rarities. It is also accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity that has been personally signed by Acting Director Kristie McNally. This offering comes on the heels of similar sale on behalf of the United States Mint in which Stack’s Bowers Galleries sold the #1 struck privy mark 2024 Flowing Hair gold $1 for an astounding $440,000, setting a world record for the most valuable 21st century United States Mint coin. The firm is anticipating a similar record-setting result for this 2025-W 25th Anniversary gold dollar.

To further recognize the significance of these historic pieces, all eight coins have been certified by leading grading service PCGS and encapsulated with bespoke labels designed exclusively for this auction event. They will also be added to the popular PCGS Set Registry which allows collectors to better document and showcase their collections, as well as compete with other collectors. For the first time ever, participants in the Top 100 Modern Coins set will have the opportunity to add the space flown 2000-W 22 karat gold coins to their collection. Though dozens of collectors are currently competing in this set, only seven will have the chance to fill the #5 slot via the Stack’s Bowers Galleries sale. These coins will also be added to other relevant PCGS Registry Sets across the Sacagawea and other modern coin categories.

Live bidding for these 22 Karat and 24 Karat gold Sacagawea dollars is now taking place on the Stack’s Bowers Galleries website www.StacksBowers.com and broadcast from Griffin Studios in the firm’s Costa Mesa, California headquarters.

In recognition of this historic offering, Stack’s Bowers Galleries will waive the Buyer’s Premium on these special Sacagawea dollars, meaning that the highest bid on each lot (the hammer price) will be the final amount paid by the winning bidder (excluding shipping fees).

Remarkably, this sale represents the fourth time Stack’s Bowers Galleries has been selected by the United States Mint for a special auction, following their $7.5 million sale of the 1933 Saint-Gaudens $20 in July 2002, their $4.6 million sale of 35th Anniversary American Eagle coins in September 2022 and their $8.2 million sale of 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair coins in December 2024. No other auction firm in the world—specialized or generalist—boasts this repetitive selection by the United States Mint.