2000-P Wounded Eagle Sacagawea Dollar

Specifications

Denomination: 1 dollar
Series: Sacagawea dollar
Designer: Glenna Goodacre
Engraver: Thomas D. Rogers
Years of issue: 2000
Weight: 8.1 g
Diameter: 26.49 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint marks: P
Key mintages: Variety mintage unknown; listed as FS-901 (PCGS# 147883) and known only on 2000-P dollars.

United States Mint, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

A raised die gouge slashes across the eagle's breast on this 2000-P variety — feel for a raised line, not a scratch.

History

The Wounded Eagle is a die variety of the 2000-P Sacagawea dollar caused by a raised die gouge on the reverse that runs diagonally across the eagle's belly, giving the appearance that the eagle has been speared or 'wounded' (GreatCollections). Because the mark is raised metal from a gouge in the die — not an incuse scratch — the diagnostic is a distinct raised line crossing the eagle's midsection (GreatCollections). Collectors also call it the 'Speared Eagle' (NGC).
The variety is listed in the Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties as FS-901 (PCGS# 147883) and is known only on 2000-P dollars (GreatCollections; Heritage). It belongs to a small family of dramatic modern die-gouge varieties that caught on with mainstream collectors, alongside the 2005-D 'Speared Buffalo' nickel and the 2004-D Wisconsin 'Extra Leaf' quarters (Numismatic News).
Value is strongly grade-driven: Heritage notes most examples grade MS64 to MS66, and an MS68 realized $5,160 at Heritage's September 2017 Long Beach Signature sale, lot 4779 (Heritage). NGC reports a Speared Eagle graded NGC MS62 realized $94 at Heritage in June 2018 (NGC).

An MS68 realized $5,160 at Heritage's September 2017 Long Beach Signature sale, lot 4779 (Heritage)
A Speared Eagle graded NGC MS62 realized $94 at Heritage in June 2018 (NGC)
Most examples grade MS64–MS66, so certified MS67+ pieces command strong premiums (Heritage)

The FS-901 listing, eye appeal of the dramatic gash, and grade are the value drivers (Heritage; GreatCollections)
It belongs to a small family of dramatic modern die-gouge varieties that caught on with mainstream collectors, alongside the 2005-D 'Speared Buffalo' nickel and the 2004-D Wisconsin 'Extra Leaf' quarters (Numismatic News)

The key diagnostic: a RAISED line running diagonally across the eagle's breast/belly. Because it is raised metal from a gouge in the die, it is not an incuse post-mint scratch — run a fingertip or loupe over it and look for raised, not cut-in, metal (GreatCollections).
The variety is known only on 2000-P dollars and carries the Cherrypickers' Guide number FS-901 (PCGS# 147883) (GreatCollections; Heritage).

Composition: Manganese-brass clad: pure copper core; cladding 77% copper, 12% zinc, 7% manganese, 4% nickel (88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, 2% nickel overall) (Wikipedia)
Weight: 8.1 g (Wikipedia)
Diameter: 26.49 mm (Wikipedia)
Edge: Plain, 2000–2008 (Wikipedia)
Alignment: Not verified in consulted references
Designers: Obverse: Glenna Goodacre (Sacagawea with infant son); reverse: Thomas D. Rogers (soaring eagle) (Wikipedia)
Mint: Philadelphia — P mintmark; variety known only on 2000-P (GreatCollections)

Authentication caution: ordinary bag marks and scratches on Sacagawea dollars are incuse; only a raised gash qualifies as the variety. When in doubt, seek third-party attribution before paying a premium (GreatCollections).