How to Identify the Draped Bust Dollar

What It Is

The Draped Bust Dollar was struck from 1795 to 1803 for regular circulation (with the famous 1804-dated pieces produced later as special presentation and restrike pieces, not part of ordinary 1804 mintage). It replaced the brief Flowing Hair dollar design and was itself succeeded by the Gobrecht dollar in the 1830s.

Obverse Design

Liberty's bust faces right, with drapery over her shoulder and hair tied back with a ribbon. Stars surround the portrait — typically arranged unevenly on early dies — and the date sits below.

Reverse Design

Coins from 1795-1798 show a small eagle perched on a rock within a wreath, matching the earlier Flowing Hair reverse style. Coins from 1798-1803 instead show a larger heraldic eagle with a shield on its breast, arrows and an olive branch in its talons, and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the rim.

Size, Weight & Metal

Struck in approximately 89.2% silver, these coins weigh about 26.96 grams and measure roughly 39-40 mm across, with a lettered edge reading a phrase such as "HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT."

Mint Marks

None of these coins carry mint marks; all were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, the only U.S. mint operating during this period.

Telling It Apart from Similar Coins

The reverse design narrows down the date range quickly: a small eagle in a wreath indicates 1795-1798, while a heraldic eagle with a shield indicates 1798-1803. Be careful with any coin dated 1804 — genuine circulation-strike Draped Bust dollars were not produced with that date, and 1804-dated pieces are a separate, extremely rare category made later for presentation purposes. Compared to the earlier Flowing Hair dollar, Liberty's tied-back, draped portrait (rather than loose flowing hair) is the clear difference.

Grading at a Glance

Wear shows first on Liberty's bust and the hair above her ear, and on the eagle's breast and head on the reverse. Because striking pressure was inconsistent in this era, some genuine coins show natural softness at the center even with light overall wear, so compare against known strong strikes of the same date before judging condition.

Authenticity Red Flags

This series is popular with collectors and has been reproduced both as clearly marked replicas and, less honestly, as deceptive fakes. Check that the edge lettering is present and correctly formed, confirm the weight and diameter match expected specifications, and be cautious of unusually sharp, glossy surfaces on a coin claimed to have heavy circulation wear, which can indicate a cast or struck counterfeit.