From Orbit to Auction: Space Flown Gold Pattern Dollars Realize $3.28 Million in Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ Auction

A selection of rare and historic gold dollar coins soared to $3.28 million in a special Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction held on Friday, September 12, presented on behalf of the United States Mint. Featured were a group of seven Judd-2190 pattern 2000-W Sacagawea dollars produced in 22 Karat gold which traveled nearly 2 million miles in orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1999, which was the first shuttle flight to be commanded by a woman, USAF Col. (ret.) Eileen Collins.

Lot 10006 and lot 10007 each sold for an astonishing $550,000 and set many new records across several categories. These are tied as the most valuable U.S. gold dollars struck since the Civil War and the most valuable space flown federal coins sold at auction. They also tower over 20^th century numismatics, ranking as the valuable post-1933 gold coins of any denomination and the most value modern Proof coins. They are the most valuable Sacagawea dollars ever sold, even surpassing records for the rare Sacagawea quarter mule errors and the famous “Cheerios” variety. Additionally, they are the most valuable coin of any denomination with a “W” mintmark (for West Point). These record results represent more than 300 times the gold bullion value at the time of the sale.

Also featured in the special auction was the very first struck 2025-W Sacagawea dollar in 24 Karat gold, produced to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the series. This #1 struck coin sold for an incredible $120,000, confirming its status as one of the most important Sacagawea dollars struck in the 21^st century. This price was more than 60 times the gold bullion value and more than 50 times the original issue price for the regular coins distributed by the United States Mint.

Remarkably, this record 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 firm in the world—specialized or generalist—boasts a repetitive seal of approval from the U.S. Mint.

For more information about the Stack’s Bowers Galleries $3.28 million sale of Space Flown 22 Karat gold and 25^th Anniversary 24 Karat gold Sacagawea dollars, or to consign your coins to an upcoming sale, contact the firm by calling 800-458-4646 or by emailing [email protected].