1796 Draped Bust Small Eagle Silver Dollar

The Draped Bust theme was first used on United States coinage in 1795. It was the famous portrait painter Gilbert Stuart who sketched the initial design, later to engraved by Robert Scot.

Stuart’s model for Lady Liberty was a well known 31-year old Philadelphia woman named Ann Willing Bingham. The Mint paid artist John Eckstein $30 to translate Stuart’s sketches into workable drawings for Scot. Eckstein is most likely responsible for the small eagle reverse.

Surprisingly, Stuart’s role in the Draped Bust inspiration was not revealed until 1861, when Mint Director James Snowden wrote:

“The head of Liberty of the dollar of 1795 was designed by Stuart, the celebrated portrait painter, at the request of the Director [William De Saussure], as we learned from a relation of the family, Stuart facetiously remarking that “Liberty on the other coins had run mad,” -- referring to the disheveled hair on the previous coins. “We will bind it up and thus render her a steady matron.”

As one might expect with an early date United States coin, the 1796 Draped Bust Small Eagle Silver Dollar is very rare, and there are just not nearly enough of them to go around to satisfy collectors. There are several varieties of the 1796 silver dollar. You can buy any of them with great confidence in continued value appreciation.

1796 Draped Bust Small Eagle Silver Dollar

Coin Photos courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries