One of the fascinating aspects of the US dollar having been adopted by several Latin American countries, including Ecuador is that dollar coins that do not circulate in the USA because people do not like them often get exported to countries in Latin America where people actually prefer them over a dollar bill.
The Sacagawea dollar coin is no exception, in fact it is very popular in Ecuador and is in widespread circulation there. Of course it helps that the local populace can identify with the Native American woman on the front of the coin.
In early 2002 numerous counterfeits started making an appearance in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Other than a more coppery colour on the face and reverse of the coin, they had every characteristic of the genuine article - even the weight. The edge is different, with the copper making for a darker impression than the usual brassy colour on the genuine coins.
A bad image, the best I have gotten so far with my camera, of the edge of the coin next to a counterfeit 1966 quarter. I have noticed a few things that are different with this, one being the baby's nose is pointier, the numeral 1 in the date of 2001 is a bit thinner and tilted slightly, and the mintmark is sharper than on the genuine coins. On the reverse, the designers initials are softer than usual.
It is believed these coins were struck in Colombia and then brought into Ecuador where they were sold. The coin looks to have been "roughed" up to make it look circulated and give it some "authentic" feel.
