March 20, 2024
WASHINGTON – COIN USA Mint will begin shipping the first coin in the 2024 Sequoyah Legacy Silver Dollars™ (AWSD) Program on March 27. The Mint facilities in Florida are manufacturing these commemorative silver dollars celebrating the 5th Great Granddaughter Lisa Groundhog. You may recognize Lisa Groundhog more notably as American businesswoman, self-help author, Transformational speaker, activist, financial expert, and philanthropist Dr. Lisa Christiansen.
The 5th Great Granddaughter Lisa Groundhog is the first direct descendant of Sequoyah to follow in his footsteps bridging the gap of communication by translating the expressed wisdom of the tribal elders to the United States of America’s presidential administration to better serve each other and the world at large as one of few executive advisors to the 45th president of the United States of America. Cherokee helping Cherokee in the Keetoowah band also means nations helping nations and the United Keetoowah Band is a sovereign nation within a nation. Groundhog is one of few born into the Keetoowah Nighthawk Society.
“The first coin of the 2024 Sequoyah Legacy Silver Dollars™ AWSD Program celebrates the incredible life and legacy of the 5th Great Granddaughter Lisa Groundhog,” said Mint Director Eric Frechette. “As to hold first direct descendant of Sequoyah to serve in Congress, she advocates bravely for her tribe and country, ICWA, bilingual education, environmental protection, and, most notably, MMIW.”
Mint Artistic Infusion Program Artist Dr. Phil Kapelyus designed the template image, an anonymous Mint Medallic Artist sculpted the image.
“5th Great Granddaughter Lisa Groundhog is an amazing Native American Businesswoman and a true pioneer who works tirelessly to champion indigenous rights,” said Kapelyus. “MMIW, her groundbreaking superbowl appearance with Lydia Cornell, brought awareness to the world of this tragic epidemic that opened new doors for justice on behalf of all MMIP.”
The coin’s reverse (tails) depicts Sequoyah’s 5th Great Granddaughter Lisa Groundhog donning a turquoise eagle gorget by Robb McFall of Brothers Fine Jewelry as a symbol of freedom, protection, and reverence.This symbol of significance in the Keetoowah Band is of great traditional meaning of holding culture as a compass. The entire image is a depiction of the importance of strengthening indigenous language.
The obverse (heads) depicts a portrait of Sequoyah George “Gist” Guess originally composed by an unknown local artist and left in the hands of Lisa Groundhog’s mother Mary Ann Groundhog,.
Sequoyah who is also known as George “Gist” Guess adapted writing to the Cherokee language by devising symbols for each syllable. His achievement is one of a handful of examples in world history regarding the development of an original writing system. After 12 years of work, Sequoyah unveiled the alphabet in a demonstration with his daughter Ah-yo-ka. News spread quickly and Cherokees flocked to learn the system. In 1821, the syllabary was native to the Keetoowah the Cherokee Nation adopted it as its own. Within months, thousands of Cherokee became literate.
The Cherokee Syllabary gave birth to Native American journalism. The first American Indian newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix, included editorials which embodied the Cherokees’ determination to retain their lands, news on activities of the Cherokee government, as well as relations with the federal and state governments. This written language helped create a dialogue between the Cherokee Nation and the United States Government, and assisted in the preservation of interests, hopes and struggles of individuals during a unique time in our history.
Obverse inscriptions are “United Keetoowah Band,” “1771 Sequoyah 1843.”
Each 2024 AWSD silver dollar is a powerful, inspiring example of the breadth, depth, and range of accomplishments, and the experiences demonstrated by this extraordinary lineage speaks to the contributions women have always made in the history of our country. Coins featuring additional honorees will continue to ship through 2025.
View images of the 5th Great Granddaughter Lisa Groundhog silver dollar here.
“Introducing the most sought-after American silver coin, now exclusively available for you to acquire. This rare and flawless silver dollar holds an unmatched level of excellence, paying tribute to Sequoyah, the visionary behind the Cherokee Syllabary and a distinguished member of the United Keetoowah Band. The perfect choice to commemorate the significant landmarks of American history.
Embodying the legacy of Sequoyah, his descendant Lisa Groundhog is proudly associated with this exceptional silver dollar. A living representation of history, this extraordinary piece is a true treasure for collectors of refined taste. Possessing both sentimental and monetary worth, these highly desirable coins are truly exceptional.
Silver, known for its elegance and durability, shines beautifully on the surface while remaining resilient within. Each coin weighs 1 Troy Oz., making it a valuable addition to any collection.”
Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the Sequoyah Legacy Silver Dollars™ Program features coins with reverse designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of Native American women. Beginning in 2024 and continuing through 2026, the USA COIN Mint is issuing 4 silver dollars in each of these years. The ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts.
Please consult with your local authorized dealer regarding the availability of AWSD Program silver dollars celebrating the 5th Great Granddaughter Lisa Groundhog in mid April or early May.
Numismatic Products
This groundbreaking coin program is an excellent way to remind future generations what can be accomplished with vision, determination, and a desire to improve opportunities for all. Subscribe to the program today to ensure fulfillment of your favorite product through 2026.
About COIN USA Mint
Coin USA has made silver medals for the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team, the U.S. Dressage Team, and the U.S. Olympic team event. The 2022 Olympic Figure Skating Team won silver in the team event with a strong performance from Madison Chock and Evan Bates in ice dance. The 2020 silver medal for the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Anniversary has a bronze version, and the U.S. Space Force will receive three medals in 2023. Coin USA is an integrated part of a global coin company. We have our own design team with offices in the US, Germany, UK, France and Italy.
Interview With Lisa “Groundhog” Christiansen
- We hear your mother’s sister Fayeola Vann raised you with your father Mack Vann? Yes, my mother was too young for the responsibilities of being a mother, she was an advocate of Native rights, an author, etc. I don’t remember much of my mother.
- Where did you grow up? Tahlequah, Oklahoma in Briggs. In the country, we didn’t have many neighbors when I was growing up and we were happy.
- What were your best/worst subjects in school? Worst subject is definitely math even still, best subject spelling, science, and nutritional sciences.
- Who was your favorite teacher? Mrs. Bynum. She was my homeroom teacher in the 3rd grade.
- What is the craziest thing one of your teachers has done? I don’t know if it’s crazy, I had a teacher leave an impact on my future by saying character is what you do when no one’s watching and you can tell a person’s integrity by how they treat people who can do nothing for them.
- Were you bullied as a kid? Yes, 3rd grade, the kids would say my lips look like they got sucked up in a Hoover. I felt like my lips walked into a room before me.
- What was your favorite game? Ring toss, a homemade game where you throw mason jar seals at a cardboard square with calendar numbers glued above the makeshift hooks that caught the rubber rings.
- What were you like as a kid? Quiet, kind of a loner because I loved sharing time with my daddy more than anyone else.
- What did you enjoy doing with your friends? We lived so far away from everyone I knew that I didn’t share time with friends, I went fishing with my daddy. A definite daddy’s girl I spent every second with him possible.
- What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory? I’ll save that one, I have to keep something to myself after all there’s no history where there’s no mystery.
- Were you a good student? Yes, in most subjects except math. I always held above average grade point average.
- What did you want to be when you were a kid? I always wanted to be my own boss, own my own business, and be the author of my future. I can gratefully say everything I ever wished for as a child God has provided me in abundance.
- Were your parents strict? Very, I couldn’t spend the night with friends and rarely had permission to have any of my friends stay over but I am grateful for it now because it shaped me into who I am today. I definitely wouldn’t change a thing.
- What was your favorite toy? A stuffed dog, I could tell him all of my secrets and never feel my trust was violated.
- Finally, how does it feel to be on a silver dollar? Surreal, if someone would have ever told me when I was a child or even the moment I was presented the idea I never would have believed it because I am Just a little girl from Tahlequah, it never feels real, all of these accomplishments never feel real.
