1798 $1 Draped Bust Silver Dollar, Pointed 9, 4 Vertical Lines BB-118 PCGS VF35 (CAC)

Here’s a popular variety for the specialist in the Draped Bust dollar series. The N in UNITED is entered over a letter I, which is the diagnostic for BB-118. Only 20 of the BB-118 have been graded by PCGS. Of those, there are 3 in VF35 with 9 finer. The finest at PCGS is AU53.  Collectors Universe prices this variety at $5,000.00 in VF35. In CAC, there are 3 in VF35 with 9 finer.

The First Philadelphia Mint in 1908. It was later demolished. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.  

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.