by Björn Schöpe
July 4, 2013 – The American natives are not renowned for having minted and issued coins as means of payment in the past. However, times have changed and life is not easy for those who live in the reservations. They have to look out for income opportunities. One popular way are casinos.
In this modern world a sector is being created that offers service to tribes seeking for recognition among a broader public. More than 150 tribes in the USA have the right to mint their own coins.
They are the target group of Native American Mint. The mint offers research in order to find motifs typical of the tribe to use on coins, design these coins and mint them. Commemorative coins allegedly are being given as awards in some casinos.
On their website Native American Mint gives some examples of minted coins. They offer to help tribes in making their history and culture better known, particularly among collectors, by minting coins.
Here you can get an idea of the products of the Native American Mint.
By the way, the US Mint has their own contribution to the natives’ recognition since 2009, the Native American $1 Program.