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In March 2018, a 2000‑P Sacagawea dollar featuring a catastrophic mule error shattered records by selling for $192,000 at auction.
This milestone sale marked the peak public price for this legendary numismatic anomaly. Here’s the definitive breakdown of the coin’s story, its features, and why collectors are obsessed.
What Is a Mule Error?
A mule error in coin collecting refers to a mistake where the obverse (front) and reverse (back) dies from two different coins are mistakenly paired. The result is a fascinating mismatched design—a collector’s dream
Overview of the 2000‑P Mule Coin
This specific mule error is a hybrid between:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Obverse Design | George Washington state quarter obverse (50 State series) |
| Obverse Mint | Philadelphia Mint (P) |
| Reverse Design | Sacagawea dollar “Soaring Eagle” reverse |
| Planchet Material | Manganese‑brass Sacagawea dollar planchet |
| Face Value Inscribed | “$1” on reverse, “.25c” on obverse |
| Die Pairs Identified | Three distinct die pairings (Die Pair 1, 2, 3) |
| Estimated Strikes | ~350,000 struck before error was caught |
Die Pair Diagnostics
- Die Pair 1: Features a die crack in the “F” of “OF” (United States of America) and radial stress striations on obverse; most common
- Die Pair 2: Perfect obverse; reverse with three distinct die cracks by stars above ONE and DOLLAR and along eagle wing
- Die Pair 3: Crisp obverse, minimal striations, small die gouge, clean reverse
Discovery and Mint Reaction
- First Mule Found: May 2000, unearthed in Arkansas in a roll of Sacagawea dollars by collector Frank Wallis
- Mint Intervention: Philadelphia Mint recalled ~thousands of mules and destroyed them post discovery; only ~20 are known today
- Legal Clarity: U.S. Mint confirmed authenticity of error on June 19, 2000 — making it the first accidental mule officially recognized
Why It’s So Valuable
- Scarcity: With only ~20 known examples and three die pairs, supply is extremely limited
- Historic Standing: Ranked #1 in “100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins”
- High Grades: Finest examples have received MS‑67 by NGC; most known coins are MS‑66 to MS‑67
- Public Auction Record: Surpassed a prior MS‑67 example sold for $192,000 in March 2018
The $192,000 Sale — March 2018
- Auction House: Stack’s Bowers Galleries at Whitman Baltimore Expo
- Coin Details: Certified by NGC as MS‑67, Die Pair 1, 17th known mule
- Sale Price: Hammered at $192,000 — highest public auction result at the time
- Previous Record: Had surpassed the earlier $158,625 sale in August 2012
Even Higher Bid in 2024
In January 2024, a PCGS‑graded MS‑66 example from Die Pair 1 sold via GreatCollections for $194,062.50 including premium — the new record
Collector Profile: Tommy Bolack
- Major Holder: Owns 15 of the ~20 known mules
- Persistent Buyer: Participated and won multiple auctions; started with the discovery coin in 2001 for ~$67,000
Summary
| Aspect | Details & Figures |
|---|---|
| Mint | Philadelphia (P) |
| Year | 2000 |
| Face Values | $1 (reverse), 25¢ (obverse) |
| Material | Manganese-brass Sacagawea planchet |
| Die Pairs | 1, 2, 3 (cracks and diagnostics) |
| Known Examples | ~20 |
| Highest Auction Price | $194,062.50 (Jan 2024) |
| Previous Record | $192,000 (Mar 2018) |
| Grading Range | MS‑66 to MS‑67 |
| Top Collector | Tommy Bolack (owns 15) |
| First Discovered | May 2000 (Frank Wallis, Arkansas) |
| Mint Recognition | Confirmed June 2000 |
This 2000‑P Sacagawea mule dollar, blending a Washington quarter obverse with a Sacagawea reverse, stands as one of the rarest and most coveted U.S. coin errors. Its $192,000 sale in 2018—and even higher $194k price in 2024—reflects its legendary status among collectors.
Its rarity, condition, and historical importance fuel its unstoppable value.
FAQs
How many of these mule errors exist?
Approximately 20 are publicly known, struck across three die pairs; Die Pair 1 examples are the most common
Why the dual face value?
The coin shows “25¢” on the Washington quarter obverse and “$1” on the Sacagawea reverse because dies from two denominations were mistakenly used together
What grade did the $192,000 coin receive?
The March 2018 sale featured an NGC MS‑67 graded mule from Die Pair 1