Type 1, Small Eagle Type 1, Small Eagle

Type 1, Small Eagle

Designed by: Robert Scot
Issue Dates: 1795-1798
Composition: 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper
Diameter: 39 to 40 mm
Weight: 26.96 grams (416.05 grains)
Edge: Lettered HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT
Business Strike Mintage: 123,434 (The Mint did not record the mintages of the 1798 Small Eagle and 1798 Heraldic Eagle separately, so we have excluded the 1798 mintage of 327,536)
Proof Mintage: None

The 1795 Draped Bust dollar represents the initial appearance of this design in American coinage. In the silver dollar series, the obverse motif was continued through pieces dated 1804 (business strikes last made in 1803, however), while the reverse motif was employed through early 1798. The obverse features a portrait of Miss Liberty as just described, with LIBERTY above, the date below, and eight stars to the left and seven to the right. The reverse shows a "small" eagle perched on a cloud within an open wreath. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds.

Among early silver dollars, the Draped Bust obverse combined with the Small Eagle reverse may be the scarcest type. Specimens exist in all grades, with those most frequently encountered apt to be in Very Good to Fine preservation. Very Fine pieces can be readily located, Extremely Fine coins are scarcer, and those in AU or better preservation are decidedly rare. A strictly Uncirculated coin would be considered a prime rarity. Examples often show parallel mint caused adjustment marks. As these coins were produced strictly for utilitarian purposes, no attention was paid to striking them carefully.

1795 Draped Bust Dollar
1795 Draped Bust Dollar
Variety: Centered Bust
Circulation Mintage: 42,738 For All Types
Obverse Text:

1795 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Learn More
1795 Draped Bust Dollar
1795 Draped Bust Dollar
Variety: Off Centered Bust
Circulation Mintage: 42,738 For All Types
Estimated Survivors: 1,400-2,000 Coins in All Conditions
Obverse Text:

1795 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Learn More
1797 Draped Bust Dollar
1797 Draped Bust Dollar
Variety: 10x6 Stars
Circulation Mintage: 7,776 For All Types
Estimated Survivors: 8-10 Coins in Mint State
Obverse Text:

1797 | LIBERTY

Reverse Text:

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Learn More

Join our mailing list

Don't miss an auction!

Subscribe to our newsletter.

 

Contact Us

West Coast Office • (800) 458-4646

Midwest Office • (800) 817-2646

East Coast Office • (800) 566-2580

info@stacksbowers.com
 

Hong Kong, China Office • +852 2117 1191

infohk@stacksbowers.com
 

Copenhagen, Denmark • +45 80 40 49 42

infodk@stacksbowers.com

Global locations

Additional representatives
available worldwide.

Follow Us




Subscribe to
Our Newsletter

We are sorry, an unexpected error occurred!
Please enter a valid email address

I'm Interested In...

Thank You!

Thank you for subscribing to the Stack's Bowers Galleries e-newsletter.