Images(2)

1798 "Heraldic Eagle" $1 Coin

Date1798

Maker United States Mint

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumSilver

DimensionsDiameter: 40mm
Weight: 26.92 grams

Credit LineGift of Philip LeDuc

Object number2015-352

DescriptionObverse: Draped bust of Liberty to right with a bow in her long, flowing hair. "LIBERTY" ia above and "1798" is below, with seven stars to the left and six stars to the right, all within a dentiled border.

Reverse: Heraldic spread eagle, facing left, with arrows in right talon, a laurel wreath in the left talon, a shield on the breast and a ribbon inscribed "E PLURIBUS UNUM" in its beak. Spanning the wings is a row of clouds over a field of 13 stars, filling the space in between. Around is the legend "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." within a dentiled border.Label TextAfter a rough start design-wise in 1792 and 1793, the United States Mint hit its stride during the rest of the century. While many of these early coins are considered to be extremely beautiful by today’s coin aficionados, the "Heraldic Eagle" reverse which appeared in late 1798 is in the top tier for attractiveness. This third American silver dollar type has the longest production period of the "Bust" series, and was capped by the legendary 1804 dollar, a great rarity produced long afterwards. Colonial Williamsburg’s example of the 1798 Heraldic Eagle dollar is an exceptionally well preserved, and hails from the Colonel. E.H.R. Green collection, sold after his death in 1936.

BB-121, Bolender-9 (this is the plate coin)ProvenanceEx. Col: E.H.R Green, M.H. Bolender, Baldenhofer, A.J. Ostheimer. Sold as Lot 861 at Superior's A.N.A. auction in Los Angeles, August 19-23, 1975.