WASHINGTON — On the heels of the release of the Abraham Lincoln presidential dollar coin (Nov. 18), the U.S. Mint has revealed next year’s 2011 Native American dollar-coin design.The 2011 Native American dollar-coin design is based on diplomacy and treaties with tribal nations. As such, the reverse 2011 Native American dollar-coin design features a ceremonial passing of a peace pipe following the 1621 treaty between the Wampanoag tribe and European settlers at Plymouth Bay, Mass. Reverse inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $1 and WAMPANOAG TREATY 1621.The reverse or tails side of the Native American dollar coin has changed annually since 2009 as mandated by the Native American $1 Coin Act. Each year celebrates a unique historic contribution made by Indian tribes or individual Native Americans to the history and development of the United States.While the dollar coins are still not commonly used in business transactions, the United States Mint, like past years, will issue five distinct circulating dollar coins in 2011 — four Presidential dollar coins and one Native American dollar. Also as mandated by law, at least 20% of all dollar coins minted and issued in any given year must be Native American dollars.If you’re wondering how long the U.S. Mint will continue to release Presidential dollar coins, the current schedule runs from 2007 to 2016. The coins will only be issued to honor deceased presidents. No coin may be issued to honor living, current and any deceased former president during the two-year period following the date of death.If you pay close attention to the coins in your pocket or purse next year, you may notice four new Presidential dollar coins: Andrew Johnson, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield.
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