Native American dollars are a recent series, but they already have a few eye catchers. The Jim Thorpe dollar coin is definitely one of the most catchy among them.
What kind of man was Jim Thorpe, and how did he deserve a coin in his name? In this article, we will learn more about the man and the dollar commemorated in him.
The Legacy Behind the Jim Thorpe Coin
This coin is a part of the Native American $1 Coin Program issued by the U.S. Mint. This program honors one of the most remarkable Native Americans in history. Many bits were born from this program, including Sequoyah Dollar, but let’s focus on the hero of the article.
Jim Thorpe (1887–1953) was a Native American, the first among his people to win gold in the Olympics. He was celebrated for his extraordinary versatility in sports. He was talented in football, baseball, track and field, and even basketball.
In 2018, a coin was made to reflect Thorpe’s impact on Native American heritage and sports culture.
The obverse: A portrait of Sacagawea carrying her infant son. This design has appeared on all Native American $1 Coins since the series began in 2009 (like Elizabeth Peratrovich dollar, Mary Kawena Pukui dollar, etc.)
The reverse: Two images of Jim Thorpe. A portrait of Thorpe in his track uniform in the foreground, and his portrait in the background.
Jim Thorpe $1 Coin Value and Market Trends
Type | Description | Typical Value (USD) |
Circulated | Found in circulation, but rarely. Most weren’t released for general use. Probably those are coins sold in bags or rolls and tarnished over time. | $1.00 |
Uncirculated (Mint State) | Standard issue from Mint rolls, bags, or sets. | $2 – $4 |
Proof | Special mirror-finish coin from proof sets (San Franco Mint). | $5 – $10 |
Mint Set | From the annual uncirculated Mint Set. The price is due to premiums for certificates and packaging. | $6 – $15 |
All in all, most Jim Thorpe $1 coins trade close to their face value in circulated condition. Uncirculated and proof versions, especially in original Mint packaging, could be worth a few dollars.
Market trends favor commemorative bits like this one. With time, we’ll have fewer options to buy it, and it will become so much more precious.
Conclusion
The Jim Thorpe $1 is more than just a collectible. It is a piece of history that speaks to so many: athletes, historians, and collectors.
Facebook 
X (Twitter) 
Pinterest 
LinkedIn 
