Take a look at this 1803 Draped Bust silver dollar. Think you can guess its grade? But before we reveal the answer, let’s dive into a bit of history about this coin.
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The Last of the Draped Bust Silver Dollars
The 1803 Draped Bust dollar is the last officially produced silver dollar featuring this iconic design. While many collectors might be familiar with the legendary 1804 dollar—often called the “King of American Coins”—that coin wasn’t struck in 1804 for regular use. Instead, it was made in 1834 for diplomatic purposes, with later versions created to meet collector demand.
But back to the 1803 dollar. This coin was minted both in 1803 and 1804, with a total of 85,634 coins produced. The U.S. Mint halted production of these large silver dollars in the summer of 1803, following orders from President Thomas Jefferson. He wanted to stop American silver coins from being exported on a large scale. By 1804, just under 20,000 coins dated 1803 were minted before production officially stopped.
The silver dollar wouldn’t return to circulation until the late 1830s.
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Unique Features of the 1803 Draped Bust Dollar
This particular 1803 dollar features the BB-255 die marriage, easily identifiable by the large “3” in the date, which sits slightly lower than the other numbers. If you look closely, you’ll also notice a thin die crack connecting the stars on the right side.
The coin itself shows dappled toning in some protected areas, with a few minor imperfections. The strike is noticeably stronger on the right, especially when you examine the stars and denticles. The reverse design is well-struck, and the toning pattern continues throughout, making this a relatively strong example of a classic American coin.
Ethan is a passionate rare coin collector with years of experience uncovering the stories and history behind unique coins. His insightful articles are a go-to for anyone curious about coin values or their fascinating backstories.