![]() The earlier configuration, known as the “cross pattern” was a modification of The Great Seal of the United States, with the stars arranged in two triangular groups of six joined by a single star in the middle. On 1798 dollars there are two different patterns of stars on the reverse above the eagle’s head. But there are several important design changes in the series that are of interest to a wide range of collectors. There are dozens of die varieties, most involving only a minute difference in the placement of the stars, numerals, letters, or other design elements. This more warlike placement of the arrows was repeated on all heraldic eagle coins of the period.ĭuring the six years Draped Bust Heraldic Eagle dollars were struck, 1,153,709 coins were produced, all in the Philadelphia mint. One oversight in the iconography of the Heraldic Eagle reverse though, was in the placement of the arrows in the eagle’s right claw the more honorable placement in heraldry leaving the olive branch in the left or less honorable claw. In 1798, the young hatchling eagle seen on the reverse of the earlier dollar was replaced with an older and more naturalistic eagle, and one that was more in keeping with heraldic iconography. This design marked a maturing of the “young” Liberty of the preceding Flowing Hair design to a more “matronly” concept of the emblematic national symbol. coinage designs to “world class” stature. The Draped Bust dollar obverse was designed by noted artist Gilbert Stuart in an attempt to elevate U.S. The new press was able to properly stamp out the large sized dollar coins and include all the design details in the finished product. When a new and improved coin press arrived at the Mint in Philadelphia in the spring of 1795, it made improvements possible both in the quantity of coins produced as well as their quality. The design modifications of 1798 were actually grounded in events that began three years before. This maturity of the United States was evident in the late 1790s not only by America’s refusal to be pulled into the war between England and France it can also be seen in the changes in the nation’s unit of currency, the dollar. Silver Coins: When They Ended and What They’re Worth
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