2025 Native American Dollars Are Here!
Have you heard the news? The 2025 Native American dollars are here!
Introduced in 2009, Native American dollars are the successors of the Sacagawea dollar. They bear the same obverse design. But unlike the original “golden” dollar, they have a new reverse design each year.
This changing design makes it a popular series among collectors. And this year, the coins honor Hawaiian native Mary Kawena Pukui.
Who is Mary Kawena Pukui?
Born in 1895, Mary Kawena Pukui was a scholar, composer, dancer and educator.
As well as a prolific author. She published more than 50 scholarly works, including the Hawaiian-English Dictionary and Hawaiian Stories and Wise Sayings.
During her youth, Pukui was raised by her grandmother, who had served as a hula dancer in the court of Queen Emma. She learned and loved the traditional Hawaiian ways. And when they began to disappear after Hawaii became a U.S. territory, she dedicated her life to preserving them.
From 1938-1961, Mary Kawena Pukui worked as an ethnological assistant and translator for the Bishop Museum in Honolulu. She taught Hawaiian language and customs, and played a critical role in preserving Hawaiian culture.
She died in 1986 at the age of 91. But her legacy lives on. Both in Hawaiian culture, and on 2025 Native American dollars.
The 2025 Native American Dollar’s Design
Like all Native American dollars, the 2025 Native American dollar’s obverse depicts Lewis and Clark’s famous Shoshone guide, Sacagawea. Along with her infant son, Jean Baptiste, who accompanied her on the epic journey.
The reverse shows Mary Kawena Pukui with stylized depictions of water in the background. She wears a hibiscus flower, a kukui nut lei and a muʻumuʻu with an aloha print.
Pukui’s name appears above her portrait, with united states of america below. The denomination “$1” appears at the right. On the left, you’ll find the inscription nānā i ke kumu, which translates to “Look to the Source.”
All told, it’s an eye-catching design. The reverse would have fit right in with the U.S. Women quarters series. Although with so many elements, it’s better served by the larger size and canvas of the dollar coin.
Especially since there’s also more space for the design due to the coin’s edge lettering.
Because, as usual for the series, the coin’s obverse and reverse do not include the date, mint mark and mottoes e pluribus unum and in god we trust. Instead, you’ll find them inscribed along each coin’s edge.
Collecting Native American Dollars
Native American dollars are a fun series to collect. They’re also a great way to learn more about how indigenous people have helped shape the nation.
And while every collector has their own interests, it’s worth checking out.
The series is actually one of my favorites. And not just because its designs have featured more than one person from my family tree.
I truly enjoy the variety of designs and themes that grace these coins. They’re a fun way to learn more about the indigenous history of our nation. As well as a nice way to add some diversity to your collection. If you already collect them, you know what I mean.
And if you’d like to begin, Littleton Coin Company makes it easy. You’ll find plenty of options in their online store at www.LittletonCoin.com. Including the latest 2025 Native American dollars featuring Mary Kawena Pukui. Uncirculated coins, limited mintage Proofs and albums to protect and display your collection.
And to learn more about the series, check out these past articles in Littleton’s Heads & Tails blog:
- Each Native American Dollar tells its own fascinating story!
- 5 Reasons Native American Dollars Matter
- Who’s the baby on the Sacagawea dollars?
Until next time,
Happy Collecting!
P.S. You’ll find more than 2025 Native American dollars in Littleton’s online store. You’ll find the latest releases, popular classics and ancient coins. Plus paper money and other collectibles. There’s even a Learn Center filled with free collector guides, checklists and more. Just go to: http://www.LittletonCoin.com/Learn
Sources
Gilkes, P. “Mary Kawena Pukui subject of Native American dollar.” Coin World. November 27, 2023. https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/mary-kawena-pukui-subject-of-native-american-dollar
Sellon, L. “Guide to the Mary Kawena Pukui papers, circa 1830 – circa 1930.” Smithsonian Institution. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://sova.si.edu/record/naa.2004-25
“Hawaii – Mary Kawena Pukui Annotated Bibliography.” University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Library. Updated March 17, 2022. https://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/pukui
“Life Story: Mary Kawena Pukui (1895–1986).” The New York Historical. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://wams.nyhistory.org/confidence-and-crises/great-depression/mary-kawena-pukui
“Littleton’s Coin Collecting Learn Center.” Littleton Coin Company. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.LittletonCoin.com/Learn
