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Dollars with heft: Flowing Hair, Draped Bust dollars By William T. Gibbs
COIN WORLD Staff Pick up one of the nation's first silver dollars – whether it bears the Flowing Hair or Draped Bust design – and take measure of i... Read more
Draped Bust, Small Eagle Dollar
Dollars with heft: Flowing Hair, Draped Bust dollars By William T. Gibbs
COIN WORLD Staff Pick up one of the nation's first silver dollars – whether it bears the Flowing Hair or Draped Bust design – and take measure of its heft: This is a substantial coin! It's big (39.5 millimeters in diameter) and heavy (26.956 grams). The diameter is the largest of any U.S. coin struck for circulation, being more than a millimeter wider than the later Morgan, Peace and Eisenhower dollars. It's also the heaviest U.S. silver coin struck for circulation. (Among all U.S. silver coins, only the noncirculating American Eagle silver dollar and 3-inch, 5-ounce America the Beautiful bullion coins are bigger.) The first two U.S. silver dollars are from short series. The Flowing Hair dollar was struck dated 1794 and 1795 only. The Draped Bust dollar, struck with the Small Eagle and Heraldic Eagle reverses, was struck bearing the dates 1795 to 1803 (the 1804 dollar is a post-dated fantasy and is not a part of the main series). Designs for the 1794 Flowing Hair dollar were based on recommendations from numerous government officials. An early version, represented by a unique copper pattern, bears no obverse stars. That first design was rejected and a new die created bearing 15 stars. The first 1794 Flowing Hair dollars were struck on Oct. 15. The coins were the first precious metal coins struck within the walls of the new Philadelphia Mint. A total of 1,758 1794 dollars were delivered by the coiner, although approximately 2,000 may have been struck (some 200 to 300 pieces were substandard and not deliverable). Production ceased because a better press was needed to strike a coin the size of the silver dollar. The new press was completed in May 1795 and used first to strike some 1795 half dollars before being used to strike 1795 Flowing Hair dollars. Just 160,295 examples of the latter were struck before new designs were introduced. Although it's obvious at a glance that the obverse design was changed from the Flowing Hair concept to the Draped Bust rendition of Liberty, it's less obvious that two distinctly different Small Eagle designs were used for the two series. The Small Eagle design used with the Flowing Hair obverse features an eagle standing on a flat rock, within a wreath and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The Small Eagle design used with the Draped Bust obverse features an eagle standing amidst billowing clouds, also contained within a wreath and the reverse legend. Both types were struck with the date 1795. The exact date the switch was made is uncertain, although it may have been late September. The Draped Bust obverse continued to be paired with the Small Eagle reverse into 1798, when a new reverse, called the Heraldic Eagle design by coin collectors, was introduced. Again, both reverse types are found paired with obverses dated 1798. Since all dies were produced by hand, numerous die varieties exist offering: overdates, large dates, small dates, small letters, large letters, 13 stars, 15 stars, 16 stars, stars in 9x7, 10x6 and 8x5 configurations, and more. Variety collecting might be the most fun way to collect, although it certainly would entail a substantial financial outlay.
Capped Bust dime | |
| Date of authorization: | April 2, 1792 |
| Dates of issue: | 1809-1837 |
| Designer/Engraver: | John Reich |
| Diameter: | (1809-1828): 18.80 mm/0.74 inch (1828-1837): 17.90 mm/0.71 inch |
| Weight: | 2.70 grams/0.09 ounce |
| Metallic content: | 89.25% silver, 10.75% copper |
| Weight of pure silver: | 2.41 grams/0.08 ounce |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| Mint mark: | None |
Marketplace
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1795 $1 Draped Bust, Centered -- Repaired -- NGC Details.
Bid Now
Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: F-12 -
1797 $1 10x6 Stars, Large Letters -- Cleaning -- PCGS Genuine.
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Dealer: Heritage Auctions
Grade: VF-20 -
1796 Bust Dollar NGC Ungraded
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Price: $3,995.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: NGC Ungraded -
1800 Bust Dollar PCGS VF-30
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Price: $3,750.00
Dealer: Coast to Coast Coins
Grade: PCGS VF-30
Public Auctions
| Name | Grade | Price | Date | Firm | Lot Number | Certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1795 $1 Draped Bust, Centered -- Cleaning -- Genuine PCGS. | EF-40 | $4,406.25 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2361 | Genuine PCGS |
| 1795 $1 Draped Bust, Centered -- Damage -- PCGS Genuine. | VF-20 | $1,410.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 2360 | PCGS Genuine |
| 1796 $1 Small Date, Small Letters -- Cleaning -- PCGS Genuine. | VF-20 | $3,290.00 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3694 | PCGS Genuine |
| 1796 $1 Small Date, Small Letters AU55 NGC. | AU-55 | $18,800.00 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3851 | NGC |
| 1797 $1 10x6 Stars, Large Letters -- Graffiti -- ANACS. | F-12 | $4,846.88 | March 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3696 | ANACS |
| 1797 $1 10x6 Stars, Large Letters AU55 PCGS Secure. | AU-55 | $21,150.00 | April 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 4317 | PCGS |
| 1798 $1 Small Eagle, 13 Stars -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. | EF-40 | $3,818.75 | February 2013 | Heritage Auctions | 3566 | NGC Details |
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Auctions
- 1898-O $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (30292/14129). PCGS $74
- 1842-O 10C -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. VF. NGC Census: (2/60). PCGS $42
- 1899 $20 MS62 PCGS. CAC. PCGS $1,998
- 1888-O $1 Doubled Die Obverse -- Rim Damage -- NGC Details. VF. Hot Lips Vam-4, Top-100. NGC Census: (0/0). PCGS $53
- 1904-O $1 MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (57595/17058). PCGS $79
- 1935 10C MS65 Full Bands PCGS. CAC. PCGS $47
- 1893-O $1 Good 4 NGC. NGC Census: (66/2354). PCGS $129
- 1915 10C -- Obv Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. UNC. NGC Census: (0/258). PCGS $132
- 1887 $1 MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (25269/3977). PCGS $118
- 1909-S VDB 1C MS65 Red PCGS. PCGS $4,994
- 1957 10C PR68 NGC. NGC Census: (326/150). PCGS $35
- 1899-O $1 MS63 NGC. NGC Census: (13734/31104). PCGS $62
- 1891-CC $1 MS64 PCGS. PCGS $999
- 1928 50C Oregon MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (448/543). PCGS $212
- 1941 50C MS66 NGC. NGC Census: (2297/553). PCGS $153
- 1901 50C VG8 NGC. NGC Census: (2/256). PCGS $16
- 1951-S 50C MS64 NGC. NGC Census: (683/1125). PCGS $34
- 1944-D 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (2367/1543). PCGS $112
- 1909-S 1C S Over Horizontal S -- Improperly Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. FS-1501. NGC Census: (2/52). PCGS $165
- 1941-D 50C MS65 NGC. NGC Census: (2083/1375). PCGS $141
All Categories
Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Left Half Cent
- Liberty Cap Right Half Cent
- Draped Bust Half Cent
- Classic Head Half Cent
- Coronet Half Cent
Cent
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Chain Reverse
- Flowing Hair Large Cent, Wreath Reverse
- Liberty Cap Large Cent
- Draped Bust Large Cent
- Classic Head Large Cent
- Coronet Large Cent
- Flying Eagle Cent
- Indian Head Cent
- Lincoln Cent
2 Cents
3 Cents
5 Cents
- Shield 5 Cents
- Liberty Head 5 Cents
- Indian Head (Buffalo) 5 Cents
- Jefferson 5 Cents
- Half Disme Pattern
- Flowing Hair Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dime
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dime
- Capped Bust Half Dime
- Seated Liberty Half Dime
Dime
- Draped Bust Dime
- Capped Bust Dime
- Seated Liberty Dime
- Barber Dime
- Winged Liberty Head (Mercury) Dime
- Roosevelt Dime
20 cents
Quarter
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Quarter Dollar
- Capped Bust Quarter Dollar
- Seated Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Barber Quarter Dollar
- Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar
- Washington Quarter Dollar
- America the Beautiful
Half Dollar
- Flowing Hair Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Half Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Half Dollar
- Capped Bust Half Dollar
- Seated Liberty Half Dollar
- Barber Half Dollar
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar
- Franklin Half Dollar
- Kennedy Half Dollar
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
Dollar
- Flowing Hair Dollar
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle Dollar
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle Dollar
- Seated Liberty Dollar
- Trade Dollar
- Morgan Dollar
- Peace Dollar
- Eisenhower Dollar
- Susan B. Anthony Dollar
- Sacagawea/Native American Dollar
- Gold Dollar (All Three "Types")
- Presidential Dollars
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- Gobrecht Dollar
- American Eagles
2.50 dollar
- Capped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Capped Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Classic Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Coronet $2.50 Quarter Eagle
- Indian Head $2.50 Quarter Eagle
3 dollar
5 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Draped Bust $5 Half Eagle
- Capped Head $5 Half Eagle
- Classic Head $5 Half Eagle
- Coronet Head $5 Half Eagle
- Indian Head $5 Half Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
10 dollar
- Capped Bust, Small Eagle $10 Eagle
- Capped Bust, Heraldic Eagle $10 Eagle
- Coronet Head $10 Eagle
- Indian Head $10 Eagle
- Modern Commemoratives 1982-2013
- American Eagles
- American Buffalo
- First Spouse
20 dollar
- Coronet Head $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens $20 Double Eagle
- Saint-Gaudens Ultra-High Relief $20 Gold
