The Significance of the New 2019 Native American Design

One of the most talked about topics in the numismatic hobby this year has been the release of the Apollo 11 commemorative coins and the impact it had on American history. With the space race set in motion by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, 1969 saw the unfolding of events that allowed for a man to finally set foot on the Moon as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin literally and figuratively left their mark on celestial pursuits.

In continuation of the 50th Anniversary celebration is the release and design of the new 2019 Native American $1 coin. Although not directly related to the Apollo 11 mission itself, the reverse celebrates American Indians in the Space Program and highlights the impact that Native Americans had on the space program since the very beginning of NASA.

The Design Itself

Contributing a great deal to the U.S. Space program, Mary Golda Ross is the first Native American engineer as she helped to develop the Agena spacecraft for the Gemini and Apollo space endeavors. The reverse of the annual design features Ross and the process of writing calculations in the foreground. In the background, an Atlas-Agena rocket is showcased as it is launching with the clouds of gas it creates below it inscribed with an equation. That equation itself represents Ross’ contributions to the space program. Also in the background is an astronaut that signifies Native American astronauts and their spacewalks, namely John Herrington from the Chickasaw Nation who was a part of the 2002 spacewalk on the International Space Station.

The Rocketship

In addition to the normal releases of the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco minted coins, the United States Mint has continued the space theme by placing a proof $1 Native American coin in a limited edition set called ‘The Rocketship.’ With a product limit of 50,000, this set is directed towards young collectors and will also feature an uncirculated 2019 Kennedy Half Dollar.

Perhaps the packaging of this set is the most unique part of the release as it mirrors a rocketship. The packaging is able to stand upright on a flat surface while a glow in the dark feature can be activated with direct sunlight. Aimed at children ages 7-12, this set is said to be the pickup and continuation of the young collectors series as fictional characters called the ‘Mighty Minters’ will be featured to help kids navigate coin collecting.