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EARLY DOLLAR
Early Dollars (1794-1804)
The silver dollar was conceived by both Alexander Hamilton, whose ideas on coinage were adopted by
Congress, the Mint Act of April 2, 1792, as our first federal coinage system, and by Thomas Jefferson
who based its necessity on the popularity of the Spanish silver dollar (eight reales) already circulating
widely in the United States.
Although the term silver dollar has traditionally been used to describe this large denomination, the use
of silver metal was discontinued (except for special pieces made for collectors) in 1971. Since that
time "silver dollars" have been made of other alloys, although some silver-content pieces have been
struck for collectors.
The first United States silver dollar made its appearance in 1794. Close to one and one-half million
silver dollars were produced during the 1794-1803 years.
Congress, the Mint Act of April 2, 1792, as our first federal coinage system, and by Thomas Jefferson
who based its necessity on the popularity of the Spanish silver dollar (eight reales) already circulating
widely in the United States.
Although the term silver dollar has traditionally been used to describe this large denomination, the use
of silver metal was discontinued (except for special pieces made for collectors) in 1971. Since that
time "silver dollars" have been made of other alloys, although some silver-content pieces have been
struck for collectors.
The first United States silver dollar made its appearance in 1794. Close to one and one-half million
silver dollars were produced during the 1794-1803 years.
Reference Works
The collector has at his or her disposal a number of excellent reference books on silver dollars. Considering the Morgan and Peace series, there is
probably more reading material on coins of these two designs than on any other area of American numismatics, perhaps excepting large cents.
Bolender, Milferd H. The United States Early Dollars From 1794 to 1803. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 982 reprint.
Bowers, Q. David. Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia. Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc.,
1993.
Haseltine, John W. Type-Table of United States Dollars, Half Dollars and Quarter Dollars. Philadelphia: Published by the author, 1881.
(This book is primarily of historical interest re 1794-1803 dollars and is not essential today.)
Highfill, John. The Comprehensive U.S. Silver Dollar Encyclopedia. Broken Arrow, OK: Highfill Press, 1992.
Miller, Wayne H. The Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook. Metairie, LA: Adam Smith Publishing Co., 1982.
Van Allen, Leroy C. and A. George Mallis. The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan & Peace Dollars. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press,
1992.
The collector has at his or her disposal a number of excellent reference books on silver dollars. Considering the Morgan and Peace series, there is
probably more reading material on coins of these two designs than on any other area of American numismatics, perhaps excepting large cents.
Bolender, Milferd H. The United States Early Dollars From 1794 to 1803. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 982 reprint.
Bowers, Q. David. Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia. Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc.,
1993.
Haseltine, John W. Type-Table of United States Dollars, Half Dollars and Quarter Dollars. Philadelphia: Published by the author, 1881.
(This book is primarily of historical interest re 1794-1803 dollars and is not essential today.)
Highfill, John. The Comprehensive U.S. Silver Dollar Encyclopedia. Broken Arrow, OK: Highfill Press, 1992.
Miller, Wayne H. The Morgan and Peace Dollar Textbook. Metairie, LA: Adam Smith Publishing Co., 1982.
Van Allen, Leroy C. and A. George Mallis. The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan & Peace Dollars. Virginia Beach, VA: DLRC Press,
1992.