2000-P Sacagawea VIP First Strike, an exceptionally rare issue of an otherwise common dollar coin, this is a true first strike of the Sacagawea Dollar series. A special ceremony was held at the United States Mint in Philadelphia on November 18, 1999. Several hundred invited guests, including dignitaries and collectors, were in attendance. During the ceremony, a medal press was utilized to strike the first "golden dollars." Attendees were brought up to the press to manually strike one example each of the new coin. The freshly minted pieces were secured by Mint staff with contact and mailing information acquired from the attendee that struck the coin and the piece was later mailed to them after the first of the year, following a protocol established by law that coins bearing a new date cannot be issued prior to the stamped year. The coins were given specialized packaging with certificates of authenticity.
It has been estimated by Mint personnel that less than 600 dollars were struck during the V.I.P. ceremony. As the coins were struck with a medal press, they have a much higher relief and finer details present than the ordinary business strike issue. Presently, only ANACS and SEGS recognize these so-called "V.I.P. Strikes" as unique issues for the Sacagawea series.
The coin offered here has been certified by SEGS as "FIRST STRIKE/VIP, MS-68." It comes with the original box and certificate of authenticity provided by the Mint.
Condition
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.