The Sacagawea coin was made because the demand increased for a dollar coin in commerce , the government 's supply of Susan B. Anthony (S.B.A.) Dollar coins were almost nearly exhausted.

The law requires that the coin is gold so that it can be told apart from the other coins. Also, the coin needed to be gold because it is easier for the seeing-impaired and the sighted. This is the reason the coin was made in gold.

It was first decided that a woman should be put on the new dollar coin by the Secretary of the Treasury Robert E. Rubin. Several different people were thought of to be on the new dollar coin. For example: Rosa Parks , Betsy Ross , and Eleanor Roosevelt. This is how the golden dollar began in circulation:

January 1

Cheerios boxes began promotion of pennies & Golden Dollars first hit grocery shelves

January 18

Golden Dollars sent to Federal Reserve

January 27

U.S. Mint offers coins in rolls and bags on U.S. Mint website

January 30

Wal - Mart/Sam's Clubs began promotion with distribution of golden dollars in their cash drawers