Numismatic

1799 Draped Bust Dollar Fine

---

In the final year of the eighteenth century, the Philadelphia Mint produced this striking silver dollar, a tangible artifact from the formative years of United States coinage. Struck in 0.8924 fine silver, the coin contains approximately 0.7731 to 0.7735 troy ounces of precious metal. It represents the early federal period of American manufacturing, carrying a design by Robert Scot that captures the aesthetic ideals of the young republic. The obverse side presents a draped bust profile of Lady Liberty, her hair flowing loosely as she faces right, encircled by stars that represent the states of the Union. The date 1799 is clearly visible beneath her portrait. On the reverse, a delicate small eagle with outstretched wings stands within a decorative wreath, surrounded by the legend proclaiming the nation's name. This early eagle motif offers a fascinating contrast to the more robust heraldic designs that would soon follow in American coinage.