1795 $1 Draped Bust Dollar, Centered Bust PCGS XF45

We are pleased to offer an historic specimen from the early days of the U.S. Mint, a 1795 Draped Bust Dollar "Centered Draped Bust" graded PCGS XF45. This issue is the first year of the short-lived Draped Bust/Small Eagle series of 1795-1798. The "Centered Bust" refers to the positioning of the Liberty bust within the field of the die. The other variety is the "Off-Center Bust." Ron Guth tells us, "The difference between the two can be seen best on the position of the bow behind Liberty's head. On the Centered Bust, the bow is well away from the stars..."

The year 1795 saw the debut of the new Draped Bust type silver dollar, replacing the Flowing Hair type of 1794-1795. The obverse was engraved by Robert Scot, chief engraver. This design also appeared upon the fractional copper and silver coinage as well, but first appeared on the dollar. The visage of Liberty was modeled upon a Philadelphia socialite from a drawing by artist Gilbert Stuart. This design change after only one year (from the Flowing Hair type) was the brain-child of Mint Director Henry DeSaussure (and probably with the encouragement of President Washington) in his desire to improve the appearance of all U.S. coinage. John Eckstein, an artist from Rhode Island, crafted a plaster model of Stuart's rendering, from which Scot prepared the dies.