The United States Mint (Mint) today officially announced the reversedesign for the 2023 Native American $1 Coin. The 2023 Native American $1Coin honors American ballerina Maria Tallchief and American Indians inballet. Considered to be America’s first prima ballerina, MariaTallchief broke barriers as a Native American ballerina (Osage Nation)exhibiting strength and resilience both on and off the stage. Inaddition to Tallchief, four other American Indian ballerinas fromOklahoma achieved international recognition in the 20th century,including her younger sister Marjorie Tallchief, Yvonne Chouteau,Rosella Hightower, and Moscelyne Larkin. Celebrated as the “Five Moons,”their legacy of achievement and inclusion continues to influence ballettoday.
Designed by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Ben Sowards andsculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill, thereverse (tails) design features Maria Tallchief in balletic pose. A nodto the “Five Moons” is presented in the lunar motif, while the fourballerinas in the background are symbolic of both Tallchief’s AmericanIndian ballerina contemporaries and the generations of dancers theyinspired. Inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “MARIATALLCHIEF,” “$1,” and “AMERICAN INDIANS IN BALLET.”