1804 Silver Dollar History and Collectibility

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The 1804 Silver Dollar is a highly sought-after coin, and for good reason. It's one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the world.

The 1804 Silver Dollar was actually minted in 1834, not in 1804. This is because the original dies for the 1834 Gobrecht dollar were mistakenly marked with the date 1804.

This coin's rarity is due to its limited mintage, with only eight examples known to exist.

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Design and Details

The class I 1804 silver dollar is a rare and valuable coin. It was designed by Robert Scot.

The coin is made of 90% silver and 10% copper, giving it a unique composition. The Philadelphia mint produced it.

One of the distinctive features of this coin is its size. It weighs 27 grams and has a diameter of 40mm.

Obverse

The obverse of the 1804 Draped Bust Silver Dollar is a beautiful representation of Lady Liberty. It's also known as the Draped Bust silver dollar due to its depiction of a draped allegorical representation of Liberty.

Hourglass near Heap of American Dollars
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Liberty is facing right on the obverse, and the inscriptions "LIBERTY" and "1804" appear at the top and bottom, respectively. This is a distinctive feature of the coin.

You'll also notice that the obverse features 13 stars, a nod to the original 13 colonies. Seven of the stars are on the left side, while the other six are on the right side.

The class III Draped Bust Silver Dollar, a restrike of the class II, also features an obverse with 13 stars.

Details

The 1804 U.S. Silver Coin is a rare and valuable collectible.

It was designed by Robert Scot and comprises 90% silver and 10% copper.

The coin was minted in the Philadelphia mint and weighs 27 grams.

Its diameter is 40mm, making it a significant piece to hold in your hand.

Only eight original silver dollar coins exist today, each with a unique nickname.

The U.S. Mint specimen is on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

A Girl Holding a Woman Head Bust
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The Cohen-Ana specimen was initially owned by Willis Dupont but was stolen from him in 1967 and is now at the American Numismatic Museum in Colorado Springs.

The Mickley – Reed Hawn Specimen was sold for a whopping $3,725,000 by Heritage Auctions in 2008.

The Parmelee – Byron specimen is now in possession of the Durham Western Heritage Museum.

The Watter-Childs specimen is part of the Sultan of Muscat set, and the King of Siam Specimen is graded PR-67 by PCGS.

How Was the U.S. Coin Minting Process?

The U.S. coin minting process has a fascinating history. There were only 8 Class 1 1804 Dollars minted, making them ultra rare.

These coins were minted as a result of a decision to release a few 1804 Silver Dollars. The process involved creating a special batch of coins.

The 1804 Silver Dollars were part of a diplomatic presentation kit handed over to the king of Thailand and Muscat.

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Value and Rarity

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The value of the 1804 silver dollar is no joke, with Class I coins selling for up to $7,680,000 in 2021.

These coins are extremely rare, with only proof finishes available. The value can range from $2,000,000 for those in the VF-20 – EF-40 grade to a whopping $7,680,000 for a PR68 grade coin.

The Class I original 1804 silver dollar is considered a novelty coin, with its value increasing steadily over the years.

Original Value

The original value of the 1804 silver dollar is quite impressive. The class I 1804 silver dollars were minted circa 1835 for diplomatic purposes.

These coins were made to have the 1804 date to prevent collectors from being upset that they couldn't obtain 1834-dated coins. This unique aspect of the coin's history adds to its value.

The 1804 U.S. Silver Coin is famous for being sold at auction for almost $4 million. This is a staggering price that surpasses the value of any other silver coin in the world.

Its rarity is due to the fact that no other coin was minted in 1804, and other coins with the "1804" stamp on them were not minted until 1850.

Value

Silver and Gold Round Coins
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The value of the 1804 silver dollar is no joke. It's a coin that's highly sought after by collectors, and its value has increased steadily over the years.

The Class I original 1804 silver dollar is a novelty coin, with one sample selling for a whopping $7,680,000 in 2021. It's the second most expensive coin today.

Those in the VF-20 – EF-40 grade are valued as high as $2,000,000. That's a lot of money for a coin!

The Class II restrike silver dollar, on the other hand, was struck in 1858 and has unlettered edges, making it distinguishable from the original Class I coin.

The value of the Class III 1804 silver dollar restrike ranges from $1,800,000 to $3,750,000, depending on the coin's grade on the Sheldon scale.

Here's a breakdown of the estimated values of the different types of 1804 silver dollar coins:

  • Class I: $2,000,000 (VF-20 – EF-40 grade)
  • Class II: unknown (only one known in private hands)
  • Class III: $1,800,000 to $3,750,000 (depending on grade)

Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary depending on the condition and rarity of the coin.

Authenticity and Counterfeits

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Over the years, several copies and counterfeits of the 1804 silver dollar have been created with the intention of passing them off as the real deal.

Some of these copies, like the Electrotype 1804 silver dollar coin, were made with no intent to deceive but to educate.

These counterfeiters manipulated the original 1801, 1802, and 1803 silver dollar coins to look like the 1804 silver dollar, making it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake.

Copies and Counterfeits

Over the years, people have created copies and counterfeits of the 1804 silver dollar to pass them off as the real deal.

Some of these copies, like the Electrotype 1804 silver dollar coin, were made with no intent to deceive but to educate.

Counterfeiters manipulated the original 1801, 1802, and 1803 silver dollar coins to look like the 1804 silver dollar.

John T Raymond fell victim to one of these deceits after purchasing a forged coin for $300.

Coin Error List

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The 1804 silver dollar coin is a rare and valuable collectible, but it's also known for its lack of mint errors. The restrikes and original coins have no known errors.

Features like missing letters in the class II coins and excess space between words may seem like errors, but they're actually not. These characteristics are actually intentional design elements.

If any 1804 silver dollar coin had a production error, its value would skyrocket. The fact that none have been found with errors is a testament to the coin's authenticity.

The rarity and value of the 1804 silver dollar coin make it a highly sought-after collectible. Its lack of errors is just one of the many factors that contribute to its allure.

Selling and Collecting

If you're looking to sell your 1804 silver dollar, you can check out online sites like the ones listed in "Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)".

Credit: youtube.com, $2640,000 Liberty 1804 (Extreme Rare)

The value of your coins is the first step to selling them, and knowing their worth can make a big difference in the selling process.

You can find a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons, in "Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)".

Selling your coins online can be a convenient and easy way to get rid of them, and with the right sites, you can get a good price.

The introduction to each site in "Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)" will give you a good idea of what to expect and what kind of experience you'll have.

Notable Sales and Minting

The 1804 silver dollar is a highly sought-after coin, and its sales history is a fascinating tale. It was sold at auction for a record-breaking $4.14 million in 1999.

The 1804 silver dollar was minted in small quantities, with only eight specimens known to exist. One of these coins was later discovered to be a modern counterfeit.

The 1804 silver dollar is highly prized by collectors for its unique features, including its Draped Bust design and 13 stars on the obverse.

Current Condition

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The 1804 silver dollar is a highly sought-after coin, and its current condition is a crucial factor in determining its value.

It's extremely rare, with only eight examples known to exist.

The 1804 Draped Bust dollar is considered a classic example of a rare coin, and its condition can greatly impact its worth.

The coins were actually minted in 1834, not 1804, but were dated 1804 to make them appear more valuable.

Each coin has its own unique characteristics, and the condition of the coin is determined by factors such as its luster, strike, and overall appearance.

The condition of the 1804 silver dollar can range from extremely fine to proof-like, with some examples exhibiting a high level of detail and clarity.

The 1804 silver dollar is considered a true treasure for collectors, and its condition can greatly impact its value and desirability.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top 10 most valuable Morgan silver dollars?

The top 10 most valuable Morgan silver dollars include the 1889-CC, 1886-O, 1884-S, 1893-S, 1896-S, 1892-S, 1901, 1887, 1885-O, and 1878-CC, with prices ranging from $587,500 to $881,250. These rare coins are highly sought after by collectors for their exceptional condition and historical significance.

What year silver dollar is worth more?

The 1804 Draped Bust silver dollar is worth significantly more, having sold for nearly $7.7 million at auction. This rare coin's high value is due to its intricate design and limited availability.

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