2017-S Native Amer $1 - Sequoyah Gem Proof

---

The 2017 Native American dollar honors a monumental achievement in communication and literacy. This modern coin showcases a detailed reverse design depicting Sequoyah, the legendary Cherokee polymath, captured in the act of writing. He is shown recording his newly developed syllabary, a system of writing that revolutionized communication for his people. The inscription of his name, Sequoyah, accompanies this powerful image. On the obverse, the coin features the familiar and striking portrait of Sacagawea carrying her young son. Accompanying this classic depiction are the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. This combination of designs celebrates two distinct and influential figures in American history, representing themes of guidance, discovery, and intellectual triumph. Struck at the San Francisco Mint, this coin is a Gem Proof issue, meaning it was crafted with polished dies and hand-selected blanks to achieve a sharp, mirror-like finish. Rather than appearing on the flat surfaces of the coin, the year of issue, the S mint mark, and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM are pressed directly into the edge of the coin as incuse lettering, leaving the face designs clean and unobstructed.