10 Most Valuable Bust Dollars in 2024
Sep 20th, 2024 ·
Bust dollars, also sometimes called early dollars, collectively refer to both the Flowing Hair dollar (1794–1795) and the Draped Bust dollar (1795–1804). These were among the first silver dollars produced by the United States.
These coins are some of the rarest and most valuable United States dollar coins, mainly due to their immense historical significance. They represented an important period in U.S. coinage history and played a major role in establishing the U.S. dollar as the standard currency.
Robert Scot engraved Bust dollars. The Flowing Hair design features a youthful Lady Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse and an eagle perched on a wreath on the reverse.
The Draped Bust version depicts a more mature portrait of Lady Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse. The eagle design remained on the reverse until 1798, when it was replaced with a heraldic eagle instead.
If you have any Bust dollars in your collection, you can reach out to us for a free coin appraisal.
You can also download our free instant value guide to see what your coins are worth.
Now let’s examine the 10 most valuable Bust dollars.
Table of Contents
1794 Flowing Hair Dollar
Year: 1794
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 1,758
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $100,000
- High: $10,000,000
Image Credit: USA Coin Book
At the top of our list sits the very first silver dollar issued by the United States federal government—the 1794 Flowing Hair dollar. The production of these coins was authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792, but due to technical issues and silver shortages, production was delayed until 1794.
This issue is extremely valuable due to both its historical significance and its rarity. Only 1,758 of these coins were minted, and it’s estimated that only 125–150 of these coins still survive today. These coins are valued at around $100,000 in circulated condition, with the midrange jumping up to $1,000,000 in value.
Fun fact: This coin holds the record as the first time a rare coin has ever sold for more than $10,000,000. In 2013, one coin sold for a whopping $10,016,875 at auction.
1804 Draped Bust Dollar (Class I)
Year: 1804
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 15
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $2,000,000
- High: $7,680,000
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
Often referred to as the “King of American Coins,” the 1804 Draped Bust dollar (Class I) has legendary status among coin collectors. Only eight of these coins are known to still exist today.
The year is deceiving because these coins were actually produced in 1834 under the direction of Chief Coiner Adam Eckfeldt. They were created as diplomatic gifts to foreign heads of state from President Andrew Jackson.
It’s hard to value these coins because so few exist today and their condition greatly differs. In 2021, one fine specimen sold for $7,680,000 at auction.
1795 Flowing Hair Dollar (Three Leaves)
Year: 1795
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: estimated between 160,295 and 290,000
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $100,000
- High: $1,000,000+
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
Next up, we have the 1795 Flowing Hair dollar in the Three Leaves variety. While this is considered more common than other 1795 dollar varieties, it’s still exceptionally rare, especially in higher grades.
This variety features three leaves under the eagle’s wings on the reverse of the coin. It also depicts larger leaves, bigger stems, and a wider ribbon than the other varieties.
The auction record for this coin was $1,265,000 in 2005; however, the price can vary greatly depending on its condition. In heavily circulated condition, it can go for around $2,380.
1801 Draped Bust Dollar
Year: 1801
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 54,454
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $1,100
- High: $350,000
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1801 Draped Bust dollar is another highly sought-after Bust dollar. With a low mintage of 54,454, the rarity of this coin makes it highly valuable.
In average condition, this coin can sell for around $1,100 to $4,600, with the value jumping significantly for uncirculated specimens. The auction record for this coin was $329,000 in 2013.
1802 Draped Bust Dollar
Year: 1802
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 41,650
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $1,000
- High: $300,000
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1802 Draped Bust dollar is another rare and elusive coin, partly due to its misguided mintage. The reported mintage is inaccurate from its actual mintage, which is estimated to be around 80,000.
Very few mint-condition examples of this coin survive today, which adds to its value. Its auction record sits at $300,000 from 2020. However, you can expect lower-grade coins to sell for around $1,000.
1796 Draped Bust Dollar
Year: 1796
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 79,920
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $31,000
- High: $300,000
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
As the first year of the Draped Bust variant, the 1796 issue is highly valuable and sought after. It’s rare in any condition, especially in uncirculated grades, which adds significant value to the coin.
There are three varieties of this coin, based on the size of the dates and letters. The auction record was set at $352,500 in 2013 for a small-date, large-letters variety. In circulated condition, this coin can be worth around $31,000 to $240,000, making it one of the most valuable circulated coins on this list.
1797 Draped Bust Dollar (9×7 Stars)
Year: 1797
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 7,776
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $25,000
- High: $300,000
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1797 Draped Bust dollar is another rare U.S. coin. There are two varieties of this particular coin based on the size of the lettering.
The “9×7 stars” refers to the unique arrangement of stars on the obverse, where there are nine stars on the left side of Liberty’s portrait and seven on her right. This coin is highly valuable, with its auction record set at $381,875 in 2013.
1798 Draped Bust Dollar (Small Eagle)
Year: 1798
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 327,536 (all varieties)
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $20,000
- High: $250,000+
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1798 Draped Bust dollar is another rare and valuable Bust dollar. In particular, the version that features a small eagle on the reverse instead of the later heraldic eagle is highly valuable and sought after.
It’s thought that only around 3% of such coins still exist today. Recently, auction prices have ranged from around $1,200 to $31,500, depending on condition. However, they have been known to sell for much more.
1799 Draped Bust Dollar
Year: 1799
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 423,515
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $1,000
- High: $400,000
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
The 1799 Draped Bust dollar Is another dollar coin worth money. This variant has one of the highest mintages on this list due to the U.S. mint increasing production for that year.
There are a few key varieties of this coin that add to its value. Keep an eye out for any overdates or differing star arrangements, as these factors could indicate some serious wealth.
1800 Draped Bust Dollar
Year: 1800
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 220,920
Price Based on Condition:
- Low: $1,445
- High: $396,000
Image Credit: Professional Coin Grading Service
To round off our list, the 1800 Draped Bust dollar represents the turn of the century for U.S. coin production. This fact coupled with their rarity make these coins particularly sought after by collectors.
In average circulated condition, this coin can be worth around $1,445. In uncirculated condition, you’re looking at more than $13,600. The highest grades of these coins go for around $396,000.
Conclusion
Bust dollar coins are some of the rarest and most valuable U.S. dollars on the market. If you have any in your collection, you might like to sell your valuable Draped Bust dollars online.
If you have any Bust dollars sitting around in your collection, feel free to reach out to us for a free at-home or online appraisal from our experts.
Sources/research:
- 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar
- 1804 Draped Bust Dollar (Class I)
- 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar (Three Leaves)
- 1801 Draped Bust Dollar
- 1802 Draped Bust Dollar
- 1796 Draped Bust Dollar
- https://coinappraiser.com/coins/1796-bb-63-small-date-small-letters-draped-bust-silver-dollar/
- https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/united-states/half-dollars/draped-bust-half-dollars-1796-1807/817315/1796-15-stars-o-101-50c-ms/
- https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1796-1-small-date-large-letters/6860
- 1797 Draped Bust Dollar (9×7 Stars)
- https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1797-1-9×7-stars-small-letters/6866
- https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1797-1-9×7-stars-large-letters/6863
- https://www.ha.com/information/bust-half-dollars-book.s?type=surl-jonamato
- https://www.reedededge.com/product/1797-draped-bust-dollar-9×7-stars-large-letters-pcgs-f-15-smooth-tough/
- 1798 Draped Bust Dollar (Small Eagle)
- https://www.greatcollections.com/Auction-Archive/US-Coin-Prices/13/Silver-and-Trade-Dollars/52/Draped-Bust-Silver-Dollars/6867/1798-Draped-Bust-Silver-Dollar-Small-Eagle-13-Stars
- https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/dollars/draped-bust-dollar/type-1-small-eagle-1795-1798/737
- https://coinweek.com/dollars-draped-bust-dollar-small-eagle-1795-1798/
- https://coinappraiser.com/coins/1798-bb-81-15-stars-small-eagle-small-letters-draped-bust-silver-dollar/
- 1799 Draped Bust Dollar
- 1800 Draped Bust Dollar
Wyatt McDonald President & Co-Founder of Coinfully. A student of numismatics and trained in the ANA Seminar in Denver, Wyatt is the face of Coinfully and a true expert. After spending a decade buying coins over the counter at a coin shop, he knew there had to be a better way, for everyone involved.
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