America’s Early-Issue Silver Dollars

As the president of Youngblood Metals Mining, Saint Jovite Youngblood sources unique collectibles, from stamps to rare metals and jewelry. Saint Jovite Youngblood’s areas of in-depth knowledge include early silver-dollar coins, which were first pressed in the 1790s.

Presaging the Peace and Morgan silver dollars, with which most Americans are familiar today, the Flowing Hair silver dollar was produced only in 1794 and 1795. Coins from the first year of production now go for at least $50,000 in decent condition, while coins from 1795 start at $2,000.

Minted from 1795 to 1803, the Draped Bust silver dollar is significantly more common, but still scarce; it brings in as much as $1,500 in good condition. An 1804 example of the coin exists, but this was struck several decades later as an issue designed for collectors and inclusion in special proof sets.

No silver dollars were struck for more than three decades, until production of the Gobrecht dollars, named for the coin designer, in 1836. Limited to a three-year run and with only a couple thousand ever produced, these rare coins fetch $15,000 and up. They were followed by the relatively common Seated Liberty dollar, of which millions were pressed during a run that lasted 33 years.

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A business graduate of Case Western Reserve University and member of the Professional Numismatic Guild, "Kota" Saint Jovite Youngblood has over a decade of experience purchasing collectible coins and antiques. When he isn't busy seeking product as president of Youngblood Metals Mining, Saint Jovite Youngblood enjoys following his favorite Major League Baseball (MLB) team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The last time the Dodgers won the World Series was in 1988, when the team beat the Oakland Athletics in five games. Orel Hershiser was named World Series MVP, but Kirk Gibson was responsible for the defining moment of the series, which happened in Game 1 and set the tone for the next four games. Trailing 4-3 to Oakland and down to its last at bat, Los Angeles sent Gibson to the plate, who had previously been declared ineligible for the series due to injury. With a runner on first base, Gibson hit a 3-2 pitch from Oakland closer Dennis Eckersley into the stands, giving the Dod...

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