Art Mint’s ‘Greatest United States Coins’ adds a second classic numismatic, this time the ultra-rare 1804 silver dollar

As promised in our article on the first new coin in Art Mint’s ‘Greatest United States Coins’ series, here’s the second of the two 2025 issues in this ten-coin set. You can read more about the series there, so we’ll jump right in on looking at this particular coin, the 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. This coin is another of those ultra-rare ‘holy grail’ issues, that were minted in tiny numbers, not meant for general circulation. The design of the coin when struck was an old one, dating back to 1795, possibly designed by the artist Gilbert Stuart, and possibly using Ann Willing Bingham as the model. It remained in production from 1795, when it replaced the 1794 ‘Flowing Hair Dollar’, until 1803, and therein lies the appeal of this coin.

Dated 1804, these coins were actually struck in 1834 to be used in proof form for a diplomatic mission to Asia, but the officials used the date 1804 in error. Few were minted, and even accounting for some more struck in 1858 and maybe as late as 1876, only 15 confirmed examples remain today, although a 16th, a previously unknown Class III 1804 dollar, was announced by auction house Stack’s Bowers Galleries in August. That’s going to be a mightily high value piece, especially if the condition is as fine as they say. We’ll find out on December 9, 2025, when it goes to auction in Griffin Studios.

The reverse face of the coin should be familiar to those with a pre-2021 American Silver Eagle bullion coin, which carried John Mercanti’s updated version of it. It depicts a heraldic eagle behind a shield, holding arrows in one hand, and an olive branch, symbolising strength and peace. In its beak is a ribbon emblazoned with ‘E Pluribus Unum’, meaning ‘Out of many, one’, the US motto symbolising the formation of a nation from 13 states, themselves represented by the 13 stars. It’s a beautiful, iconic design.

The obverse face depicts Liberty, with a robe flowing over the top of her bust, hence the name, and with a ribbon in her hair. The 13 stars are also present on this side. As with the Double Eagle design, Art Mint’s new issue details are placed in a proof finish border on both faces, and the original coin reproduction is a heavily antiqued, gilded finish. It’s another superb homage to early US coinage, something I’m finding quite a bit more fascinating than I had previously. Again, only 500 of these beautiful coins will be minted, and they’re available to order now.