This year is known only for the 39 examples of the new Sacagawea dollar that were struck in 22 karat gold J2190 at West Point as a prelude to the Mint's eventual offering of a precious metal gold version of the "golden dollar" for collectors. These meet the criteria as a trial piece although they are more accurately described as presentation pieces. A dozen of these coins went into orbit on the space shuttle Columbia on July 23, 1999 and still exist. The others were melted. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Mint. Go to Previous Page