A History of When Dollar Coins Were Made

The United States has a rich history of producing dollar coins, reflecting shifts in economic policy and national identity. Their issuance marks significant periods in American numismatic development.

Early United States Dollar Coins

The U.S. dollar coin began shortly after the nation’s founding, with the Coinage Act of 1792 establishing the dollar as the standard unit of money. The first silver dollar, known as the Flowing Hair dollar, was minted in 1794 and 1795. This coin, designed by Robert Scot, featured a depiction of Liberty with flowing hair on the obverse and an eagle surrounded by a wreath on the reverse. It was 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper, mirroring the Spanish dollar prevalent in trade.

The Flowing Hair dollar was soon succeeded by the Draped Bust dollar, produced from 1795 to 1803. This coin featured a more refined bust of Liberty on the obverse and initially a small eagle reverse, which was later replaced by a heraldic eagle design in 1798. These were 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.96 grams. Regular production ceased in 1803, with some “1804” dated dollars produced later for diplomatic purposes.

Silver dollar production resumed with the Seated Liberty dollar, minted from 1840 to 1873. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the obverse showcased Liberty seated on a rock, while the reverse featured an eagle with a shield. Also 90% silver and 10% copper, this was the last silver dollar struck for commerce before the Coinage Act of 1873 temporarily ended silver dollar production. The Trade Dollar was issued from 1873 to 1885, primarily for East Asian commerce, containing more silver than previous dollars to compete with foreign trade coins.

The Morgan dollar, named after its designer George T. Morgan, followed, minted from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. Its creation was mandated by the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, which required the U.S. Treasury to purchase silver and coin it into dollars monthly. It also contained 90% silver and 10% copper. The Pittman Act of 1918 authorized melting millions of silver dollars, largely Morgan dollars, to aid Great Britain during World War I, with a provision for their replacement, leading to a brief resumption of Morgan dollar production in 1921. The Peace dollar, designed by Anthony de Francisci, was introduced in late 1921 to commemorate the end of World War I, continuing production until 1928, and again in 1934 and 1935. It was the last U.S. dollar coin struck for circulation in 90% silver.

Mid-20th Century Dollar Coins

After a significant hiatus, dollar coins reappeared in the latter half of the 20th century, shifting from silver to clad compositions. The Eisenhower dollar, honoring President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was minted from 1971 to 1978. It was composed of layers of copper and nickel bonded to a pure copper core, a clad composition introduced by the Coinage Act of 1965. It was the largest clad coin struck for circulation in the United States at that time.

Following the Eisenhower dollar, the United States Mint introduced the Susan B. Anthony dollar in 1979. It featured suffragist Susan B. Anthony, the first real woman, rather than an allegorical figure, on a circulating U.S. coin. Its production ran from 1979 to 1981, with an additional mintage in 1999. Its size, similar to a quarter, contributed to public confusion and limited acceptance.

Late 20th and 21st Century Dollar Coins

The turn of the millennium brought new designs and approaches to dollar coin production, seeking greater public use. The Sacagawea dollar was introduced in 2000, featuring the Native American explorer Sacagawea and her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, on the reverse. It was notable for its distinctive golden color, achieved through a manganese brass clad composition, differentiating it from quarters and half dollars. Its issuance aimed to create a more user-friendly dollar coin that would circulate effectively.

Following the Sacagawea dollar, the U.S. Mint launched the Presidential $1 Coin Program, a multi-year series from 2007 to 2016, honoring deceased U.S. presidents in the order of their service. They shared the same golden color and clad composition as the Sacagawea dollar. A unique feature was the placement of inscriptions, including the year of minting, mint mark, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” on the coin’s edge rather than on the obverse or reverse faces.

The American Innovation $1 Coin Program began in 2018, to celebrate innovation and innovators from each state, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. This series features a new design for each jurisdiction, released in a specific order. Like the Sacagawea and Presidential dollars, these coins are golden in color and use a clad composition. They aim to highlight American ingenuity and its impact on the nation’s progress.