One of America’s most famous rare coins returns in a new form today as the United States Mint releases its Best of the Mint 1804 Silver Dollar Gold Coin and Silver Medal Set.
The 1804 silver dollar has never before been recreated on modern U.S. Mint coinage, setting this release apart from the other historic designs in the five-part series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. With only 16 original and restrike examples known today, the opportunity to own a modern Mint recreation — combined with a mintage of just 15,000 sets, half that of the previous Best of the Mint offerings — is expected to generate strong collector demand despite the set’s higher price.
Struck in high relief from one troy ounce of 99.99% gold, the coin recreates the historic 1804 dollar, complete with its distinctive raised-lettered edge. A Liberty Bell 250 privy mark was added for the nation’s Semiquincentennial. A companion one-ounce, 99.9% silver medal features a modern interpretation tied to the story behind the original coin.
Semiquincentennial Best of the Mint Program
Five releases make up the Best of the Mint series. Each pairs a 24-karat gold coin based on a classic U.S. coin design with a one-ounce silver medal offering a modern interpretation of its historic counterpart. The series includes:
- 1916 Mercury Dime Set — June 4
- 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Set — July 10
- 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar Set — Aug. 6
- 1804 Silver Dollar Set — this release
- 1907 Saint-Gaudens High Relief $20 Set — Sept. 24
Sales have varied across the first three releases. Closest to its 30,000-set mintage limit is the Mercury Dime set, with 29,265 reported sold. Sales stand at 16,266 for the Standing Liberty set and 9,440 for the Walking Liberty set.
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Unlike the 1804 dollar, the designs used for the three earlier Best of the Mint releases, as well as the Saint-Gaudens design for the final set, have previously appeared on modern U.S. Mint coinage.
1804 Silver Dollar Set Designs
Few coins have a history as unusual as the 1804 silver dollar. Despite its date, no dollars bearing 1804 were actually struck that year. Dollars produced in 1804 carried the date 1803, while the first 1804-dated examples were struck in 1834 for diplomatic presentation sets intended for foreign rulers. That unusual origin helped make the coin one of the most famous rarities in U.S. numismatics.
On the obverse (heads side), the gold coin recreates a draped bust of Liberty facing right, with her long hair bound by a ribbon and 13 stars surrounding the portrait. Inscriptions include LIBERTY and 1804. A Liberty Bell privy mark containing the numeral 250 provides the design’s connection to America’s Semiquincentennial.
Its reverse (tails side) features a heraldic eagle with raised wings and a United States shield upon its breast. A scroll in the eagle’s beak bears E PLURIBUS UNUM, while its talons hold 13 arrows and an olive branch. Clouds and 13 stars appear above, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircling the design.
One of the coin’s more unusual features appears on its edge. In keeping with the historic dollar, HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT is presented in raised lettering rather than the reeded or plain edge found on many modern coins.
The companion silver medal carries several visual references to the 1804 dollar and its diplomatic origins. Its obverse depicts Liberty with flowing, ribbon-like hair, echoing the ribbon in Liberty’s hair on the historic dollar. Clouds appearing above the eagle on the original coin are reinterpreted as a braid encircling Liberty’s head and, on the reverse, the globe. Thirteen stars represent the original colonies.
On the reverse, an eagle soars above a cloud-covered globe. The Sun and its rays overhead symbolize the aspirations of a hopeful nation. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears as the sole inscription..
1804 Silver Dollar Set Specifications
| Gold Coin | Silver Medal | |
|---|---|---|
| Denomination: | $1 | N/A |
| Finish: | Uncirculated | Uncirculated |
| Composition: | 99.99% gold | 99.9% silver |
| Gold Fine Weight: | 1.000 troy ounce | N/A |
| Silver Weight: | N/A | 1.000 troy ounce |
| Diameter: | 1.205 inches (30.61 mm) | 1.598 inches (40.60 mm) |
| Edge: | Raised Lettering | Plain |
| Mint: | West Point | Philadelphia |
| Mint Mark: | N/A | N/A |
Ordering Information, Price and Limits
The Best of the Mint 1804 Silver Dollar Gold Coin and Silver Medal Set goes on sale at noon ET through the U.S. Mint’s website. An initial household order limit of one applies for the first 24 hours.
The set’s current $5,740 price may change weekly under the Mint’s precious-metals pricing matrix, based on movements in the gold market.
