Native American "Jim Thorpe", 2018 US Sacagawea Dollar

Native American $1 Coin Honors 1st Native American Olympic Gold Medalist

Jim Thorpe (1887-1953) was one of the greatest athletes of all time. A Native American, Thorpe was born in Oklahoma. His athletic career began at the Carlisle Pennsylvania Indian Industrial School. Legendary football coach “Pop” Warner discovered Thorpe’s incredible talent when he saw him high jumping s...  more

Native American $1 Coin Honors 1st Native American Olympic Gold Medalist

Jim Thorpe (1887-1953) was one of the greatest athletes of all time. A Native American, Thorpe was born in Oklahoma. His athletic career began at the Carlisle Pennsylvania Indian Industrial School. Legendary football coach “Pop” Warner discovered Thorpe’s incredible talent when he saw him high jumping six feet in his street clothes.  Jim went on to become a top performer in track and football.

Thorpe left Carlisle to play two seasons of minor league baseball but returned in 1911 to lead the football team to national fame. He was named to the All-American team.

At the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Thorpe became the first athlete ever to win gold medals in both the pentathlon and decathlon. His score of 8,412 points in the decathlon was not exceeded for 15 years. In 1913, Thorpe’s medals were taken away when it was learned he had played professional baseball, a violation of his amateur status. However, the medals were restored by the International Olympic Committee in 1982.

From 1913 to 1919, Thorpe played professional baseball for three major league teams. From 1915 to 1930, he played with seven professional football teams. His fame helped to establish football as a popular sport. In 1920, Thorpe became the National Football League’s first commissioner.

About the $1 Native American Coin Program:  In 2009, the US Mint began issuing $1 coins in accordance with the Native American One Dollar Coin Act.  Each coin pictures a portrait of Sacagawea on the "heads' side and a special yearly design on the "tails" side.  They honor the contributions of Native Americans throughout US history, whether it be individuals or larger communities.