2015-S Mohawk Ironworker Native American Dollar Proof

The 2015 Native American Dollar coin is a tribute to the enduring legacy of the Mohawk people, renowned for their exceptional contributions to the construction industry. Hailing from the northern region of New York State and extending into neighboring areas of Canada, the Kanienʼkehá:ka (Mohawk) people form one of the five founding tribes of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy).

For nearly two centuries, skilled Mohawk laborers have ascended to remarkable heights, forging an enduring reputation for their masterful steel and ironwork on iconic construction projects. In the 1920s and ’30s, a contingent of Mohawk ironworkers migrated to New York City and played a pivotal role in erecting such architectural marvels as the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the George Washington Bridge. Their legacy continued in the 1970s with their involvement in the construction of the World Trade Center.

The reverse design of the 2015-S Native American – Mohawk Ironworkers Dollar showcases the breathtaking city vista as seen through the eyes of a Mohawk ironworker navigating staggering heights on a daily basis. The design, conceived by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Ronald D. Sanders and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill, presents a fisheye lens perspective of the metropolis. This technique, reminiscent of other innovative and award-winning solutions employed by Mint artists in response to challenging themes, effectively conveys a remarkable depth of field on the diminutive dollar canvas.

Available exclusively to collectors through the United States Mint’s ordering website, the Proof 2015 Native American Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint with a mintage exceeding one million pieces. An Enhanced Uncirculated version of the coin was struck at the West Point Mint and included in the 2015 American $1 Coin and Currency Set.

Examining the Market for the 2015-S Mohawk Ironworker Native American Dollar Proof

Given the recent mintage and ultra-modern nature of these coins, which are typically treated like commodities, they lack the meaningful history of auction appearances associated with elite classic U.S. coins. To gauge the contemporary market for these issues, we turn to sites like eBay (although, in all honesty, it's the only one worth considering).

In recent months, a handful of perfect and near-perfect specimens certified by PCGS and NGC have been sold on the platform, with prices generally ranging from $15 to $50, largely influenced by the sellers and the “Buy It Now” option. The following list presents auction records available on eBay as of this mid-January 2025 update (eBay removes auction lots after three months).

Uncertified (“raw”) examples with adequate photography have sold on eBay in the last couple months for between $5 and $8.

Top Population: PCGS PR70DCAM (984, 1/2025), NGC PF70 (2,832, 1/2025), and CAC PR69 (3, 1/2025)

Coin Design

Obverse:

Artist Glenna Goodacre's depiction of Sacagawea on the Native American Dollarコイン serves as a representation of both the Corps of Discovery explorer and her child, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. In the absence of any contemporary portraits of Sacagawea, Goodacre's effigy draws inspiration from the likeness of then-23-year-old Shoshone model Randy’L He-dow Teton (born 1976). On the coin, Sacagawea's body faces right, with her head turned two-thirds of the way to the side and her eyes making direct contact with the viewer. Baby Jean is depicted sleeping in a papoose. The word LIBERTY wraps around the upper portion of the coin. Inscribed in small letters to the left of Sacagawea is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Goodacre's initials, gg, are incused at the seven o'clock position, close to the rim.

Reverse:

A Mohawk construction worker stands high above the New York City skyline. His right arm extends to grip and guide a steel beam as his left hand holds onto the “porthole” that frames the coin's design. A fisheye perspective of the surrounding buildings and water features effectively conveys a sense of both height and scale. The worker's right foot is positioned on a beam, which bears the incuse inscription MOHAWK IRONWORKERS. Two bolts are placed at the four and eight o'clock positions. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA wraps around the upper part of the design. The denomination value of $1 appears in the skyline to the left of the Empire State Building.

Edge:

The edge lettering on the 2015-S Mohawk Ironworker Native American Dollar Proof coin includes the year