DOLLARS

 

The Coinage Act of 1792 also authorized the production of dollar coins from silver. Silver dollar coins were produced with two obverse designs from 1794 through 1803 before a stop in regular production until 1836. The first being the Flowing Hair which was minted from 1794 through 1795. The second, the Draped Bust minted from 1795 through 1804. The Draped Bust also had two reverse designs used. The Small Eagle Reverse minted from 1795 through 1798, and the Heraldic Eagle Reverse from 1798 through 1804.

 

As a result of of a simple bookkeeping error the 1804 Dollar was produced. It is one of the more famous and rarest of coins in the world. The originals, or First Reverse, has only eight coins which are known to exist. The re-strikes, made at the Mint to supply collectors who wanted examples of the dollars, are known to have only seven in existence with one having a plain edge. Following the 1804 Dollar was the Gobrecht Dollars minted from 1836 through 1839  in a very small quantity, and then the Liberty Seated Dollar issued from 1840 through 1873.

 

The Liberty Seated Dollar was follow by the Trade Dollar minted from 1873 through 1885. Trade Dollars were mainly issued for use in commerce with China to help expand trade due to merchants wanting only Silver coins. Once a Trade Dollar would reach the port in China and the merchant would accept the coin, the coin would be “chopped”. This was a Chinese character stamped on the coin unique to that merchant. As the coin would move from merchant to merchant it would receive many different “chop marks”. However, a few years after they were issued no merchants in the United States wanted to accept them as a dollar. The legal tender status of the Trade Dollar had been revoked making them less than face value. When the United States was forced to redeem them, the ones with the “chop marks” were considered mutilated and were not accepted, to avoid having to redeem the ones that had returned with chop marks from China.

 

The Morgan Dollar was minted from 1878 through 1904. However, it was rarely used so millions of them were melted or put in storage vaults. After the Pittman Act in 1918 the Morgan Dollar was minted again in 1921. It mandated that earlier Morgans, to the tune of 270 million coins, be melted and replaced by the Peace design by the end of 1921. Recently though, it has become a favorite of collectors, and many Hoards remained untouched until mid 20th century making many coins still in great condition.

 

The Peace Dollar was issued from the end of 1921 through 1935 as a commemorative peace coin. The Eisenhower Dollar preceded with mint production from 1971 through 1978. This coin honored both President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the first landing of man on the moon. The Susan B. Anthony coin followed after. Minted from 1979 through 1999, it honored Susan B. Anthony as the pioneer in women’s rights.

 

From 2000 to 2008 the Sacagawea coin was minted with a distinctive golden color and plain edge to differentiate them from other denominations, and coins of similar size. This change was mandated under the United States Coin Act of 1997.

 

The Presidential was minted after, from 2007 through 2016, honoring former United States Presidents. It was issued for circulation from 2007 through 2011, and only for numismatic sales after. Four different coins were issued each year in the order that the Presidents served.

 

Finally, from 2009 through present date, the Native American Dollar has been produced. The reverse of the coin featured an annually changing design. Production of all dollar coins minted after 2011 is limited to numismatic sales and none are issued for circulation.

 

The American Innovation is the newest United States Minted coin apart of a 15 year series. The American Innovation $1 Coin Program. Four new designs are released each year from 2019 through 2032. These coins will be issue in Uncirculated and Proof finishes only and, like all dollar coins minted after 2011 as stated above, none will be distributed for circulation.