Description

The first silver dollars-and the first silver half dollars-were delivered on the same day, October 15, 1794. Chief coiner Henry Voigt was responsible for 5,300 half dollars that day, and they apparently went into commerce as soon as they were released.

The dollars were another matter. Precisely 1,758 of them were coined on the fifteenth, and they were immediately delivered to Mint Director David Rittenhouse for distribution to dignitaries as souvenirs.

The VIPs were not impressed with what they saw. The dollars were struck on the largest press the mint possessed, but the machine was originally intended for cents and half dollars. The only way it had proved adequate for striking the copper pattern was by striking the piece twice.

The impressions it gave with a single blow were weak, a situation not helped by the fact that the obverse die was damaged early on and had to be polished down along one part of its circumference. This resulted in its making an even weaker impression. So the new federal dollar was not a brilliant success. But it was a first-and sometimes that's success enough.

Precisely 1,758 of these silver dollars, the first ever minted for circulation by the United States, were coined on October 15, 1794. All were immediately delivered to the Mint Director for distribution to dignitaries as souvenirs. The largest press the mint possessed still was not big enough to give a strong impression with a single blow, hence the weak relief on these coins.

Location

Currently not on view

Object Name

coin

date made

1794

mint

U.S. Mint. Philadelphia

obverse designer

Scot, Robert

reverse designer

Scot, Robert

place made

United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

city

United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

province

United States: Pennsylvania

country

United States

political area

United States

Physical Description

silver (overall material)

Measurements

overall: .23 cm x 3.88 cm; 3/32 in x 1 17/32 in

ID Number

1979.1263.00334

accession number

1979.1263

collector/donor number

CM01510

catalog number

1979.1263.00334

Credit Line

Chase Manhattan

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Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection

Legendary Coins

Coins

Numismatics

Coins, Currency and Medals

Data Source

National Museum of American History