1798 Draped Bust Dollar
Base
About This Coin
The 1798 Draped Bust Dollar is a United States dollar from the Draped Bust Dollars 1795-1804 series — 4th of 10 years in the series. In 1798, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 2.6 million. This represents the second-highest annual mintage in the series, above the series median of 84,477. The obverse features Liberty facing right with draped bust and ribbon-bound hair, designed after a Gilbert Stuart portrait and the reverse displays a small, naturalistic eagle perched on a palm branch within a wreath (1795-1798) or a heraldic eagle with shield on breast, olive branch and arrows in talons, with a banner reading E PLURIBUS UNUM (1798-1804). The heraldic eagle reverse was introduced, replacing the small eagle. Multiple die varieties exist including the famous "knob 9" and "pointed 9" varieties. Struck in 90% silver, 10% copper, weighing 27 grams, 40 mm in diameter, with a lettered: hundred cents one dollar or unit edge. Produced 6 years before the celebrated 1804 key date. Across its variants, estimated values range from $1.2K to $27K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $270K in MS65 grade at Legend Rare Coin Auctions. Designed by Robert Scot after Gilbert Stuart.
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — range across all strike types, reflecting typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Specifications
Strike Types & Varieties(11)
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - 5 Stripes
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - 10 Arrows
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Knob 9
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Knob 9, 4 Lines
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Knob 9, 5 Lines
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Large Eagle
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Pointed 9, 4 Vertical Lines
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Pointed 9, 5 Vertical Lines
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Small Eagle, 13 Stars
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Small Eagle, 15 Stars
1798 Draped Bust Dollar - Wide Date
Other Base Coins in This Series
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