Therefore, the Mint has taken the unusual step of publicity ads and television spots. Remarkable public awareness has been achieved by making collectors feel they had a part in the selection and design of the coin. First, by opening up the design viewing to numismatists, artists and historians. Then multiple press releases explaining the progress of the design selection and minting progress. Non-collectors have been bombarded by Cheerios boxes, the Macy's Day Parade and Walmart Promotions-- the one sure place to find the coin.

We've always had dollar coins, but the most recent one, the Susan B Anthony, was not well received. The coin was deemed by consumers to be too close to the quarter and confusing to use. The design was not particularly striking and therefore didn't stir up much collecting interest. In fact, US Coins didn't particularly stir up interest in consumers at all for many years, until the State Quarters program rolled out last year. The quarters changed many consumers into collectors. The Sacagawea coins promise to do the same by making people aware of the beauty and history of coins in general..

From the US Mint:
This new dollar coin has become so popular, a recent press release from the US Mint stated the following "The Mint has taken extraordinary action to double production to 5 million Golden Dollars a day -- matching the annual demand for the SBA every 11 days. The Mint expects to ship at least 150 million Golden Dollars a month, and more than one billion by year end. In contrast, demand for the SBA finally reached a total of 900 million coins after 21 years".