Coin Profiles: The 1804 U.S. Silver Dollar

It is sort of a wonder how minting mistakes can actually produce many of the rare coins today. One of these coins are the 1804 US Silver Dollar.

Although the date on the coin indicates that the silver dollar was struck in 1804, no silver dollars were actually made from 1804 to 1834. The 1804 US Silver Dollar was actually struck in 1834 under the orders of President Andrew Jackson. Proof coins were minted to serve as presents given to the heads of some Asian nations. The reason why these coins are dated 1804 instead of 1834 or 1835 is because the officials of the U.S. Mint misinterpreted the law and thought that for these coins to be legal they need to be marked with the date 1804.

There are 3 Classes of 1804 US Silver Dollars. The first class, Class I were silver dollars minted in 1834 or 1835 for diplomatic purposes. Two Proof sets of the 1804 silver dollars were delivered by the US Envoy. One was sent to the King of Siam (Thailand) and one was delivered to the Emperor of Muscat and Oman, which is now known as the Sultanate of Oman. More sets of these proof coins must have been sent to other kings or heads of the Asian countries. Class II sets were the only ones with a plain edge, and were struck after 1857. Class III sets were also struck after 1857, but these coins have lettered edges and a rust pit in the afore-mentioned place on the reverse.

There are 8 specimens for Class I sets, 1 for Class II and 6 specimens for Class III. Class I specimens include the U.S. Mint Specimen, The Stickney-Eliasberg, The Cohen-ANA, The Mickley- Reed Hawn, The Parmelee-Byron Reed, The Dexter, The Watters-Childs, and The King of Siam Speciment known as "Brilliant Gem Proof" by Breen. This Class I Proof Set features the Lettered Edge.

Class II set features a new reverse design and a plain edge which was struck over an 1857 Swiss Shooting Thaler. The only specimen for class II is the U.S. Mint one.

Class III features a new reverse and the lettered edge. Specimens are The Berg-Garrett, The Adams-Carter, The Davis-Wolfson, The Linderman-DuPont, The Rosenthal-ANS and The Idler-Bebee Specimen.

These 1804 silver dollar coins are a prized rarity in the coin collecting business. Aspiring collectors could take inspirations from these eager and successful collectors and start their own coin collections. Who knows, maybe one day your collection's value could provide you some good investment. Whether you are a starting collector or a professional and keen one, a reliable numismatic firm is always a good support. Be sure to scout throughly and choose the ones who have been in the industry for decades like us.

Colonial Acres provides good quality coins and holds sales every now and then, and is also backed up with at more than twenty years of service to the coin-collecting crowd. Start your own collection with the Colonial Acres Coin shop and be a more experienced and knowledgeable coin collector.