CoinNews photos offer a closer look at the United States Mint’s 1804 Silver Dollar Gold Coin and Silver Medal Set, the first modern U.S. Mint coinage to recreate the famed 1804 dollar. The images highlight the one-ounce 24-karat gold coin, its distinctive raised lettered edge, companion silver medal and presentation packaging.
Released Aug. 27 for $5,740 and now $5,640, the set marks the first time the famed 1804 silver dollar has been recreated on modern U.S. Mint coinage. Struck in high relief from one troy ounce of 99.99% fine gold, the coin reproduces the historic dollar design, including its distinctive raised lettered edge, while adding a Liberty Bell 250 privy mark for America’s Semiquincentennial.
Limited to 15,000 sets, half the mintage of the first three Best of the Mint releases, the 1804 Silver Dollar Gold Coin and Silver Medal Set opened with first-reported sales of 9,947, or 66.3% of its limit. That total could have been higher had sales remained uninterrupted. Its status changed to unavailable on the morning of Aug. 29 — two days after launch — before sales resumed on the morning of Aug. 31.
Gold Coin Recreates Famous 1804 Dollar
The gold coin’s obverse depicts 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 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.
Despite its date, no 1804 dollars were actually struck in 1804. The first examples bearing the date were produced in 1834 for diplomatic presentation sets intended for foreign rulers. Only 16 original and restrike examples are known today, helping make the 1804 dollar one of the most famous rarities in U.S. numismatics.
Silver Medal Draws on Dollar’s History
The companion one-ounce, 99.9% fine silver medal incorporates visual references to both the 1804 dollar and the diplomatic mission behind its creation.
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, while 13 stars represent the original colonies.
On the reverse, an eagle soars above a cloud-covered globe, with the cloud motif again recalling the original dollar. The Sun and its rays overhead symbolize the aspirations of a hopeful nation, while UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears around the design.
Packaging, Booklet and Presentation
CoinNews photos also show the encapsulated gold coin and silver medal presented together in the U.S. Mint’s Best of the Mint packaging.
The set includes accompanying materials with background on the Best of the Mint program, the historic 1804 dollar and the modern coin and medal, along with specifications and a certificate of authenticity.
Fourth of Five Best of the Mint Sets
The U.S. Mint’s Best of the Mint series is part of its 2026 Semiquincentennial program. Each set pairs a 24-karat gold coin based on a historic U.S. coin design with a one-ounce silver medal featuring a modern interpretation connected to its companion piece.
The series began June 4 with the 1916 Mercury dime, followed by the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter on July 10 and the 1916 Walking Liberty half dollar on Aug. 6. The 1804 dollar is the fourth release, with the series concluding Sept. 24 with the 1907 Saint-Gaudens High Relief $20 Gold Coin and Silver Medal Set.
Ordering and Pricing Changes
The Best of the Mint 1804 Silver Dollar Gold Coin and Silver Medal Set is available through the U.S. Mint’s website.
Its current price of $5,640, down $100 from its launch price, may change weekly under the Mint’s precious-metals pricing matrix based on movements in the gold market.
