1802/1 Silver Dollar - 1802/1 Early $1, PCGS XF40. BB-235, B-9, R-5. This toned, scarce variety, overdate 1802/1 silver dollar shows shades of tan, rose, dark gray and coppery silver. These colors and the toning affirm the coins originality. The devices are darkly outlined against a lighter background, especially so on the obverse. The surfaces are clean for the grade with no individually disturbing abrasion marks or other distractions. All of the lines in Libertys drapery show distinctly. Her hair is outlined and detailed. 

The BB-235 is identified by the numerals of the date being small and well spaced. On the 2 of the overdate, the left top of the 1 is under the 2 and in line with its top and base. A die flaw shows midway between the base of B in LIBERTY and the end of the curl. This obverse die was used to strike BB-235 only. On the reverse the point of the left most arrow is under the center of the left upright on N in UNITED. There is a spur on the D in UNITED. A leaf points to the center of the I in AMERICA. The point of Star 12 touches the outside of the upper eagles beak above the beaks point. The Ts in UNITED and STATES have broken lower right serifs. The die was mated with obverses in 1801, 1802, and 1803. 

The Draped Bust dollar, designed by Robert Scot, was based on a drawing of Ann Bingham by the famous artist, Gilbert Stuart. Evidently John Eckstein, the engraver, translated the drawing poorly, which might explain why Stuarts family refused to acknowledge his role in the coinage design. On the reverse, Scot mixed up the arrows and olive branch creating a very martial heraldry, maybe for political reasons. The United States was engaged with France in an undeclared naval war. Perhaps this symbolism was being used to make a statement to France and others about the sovereignty of the United States.

Scot was born in 1744. It is uncertain if he was born in Edinburgh, Scotland or in England. He was trained as a watchmaker in England and learned engraving afterwards. He moved to the United States in 1777, where he worked as an engraver of plates, bills of exchange, and office scales. During the Revolution, he was an engraver of paper money. In 1781 he moved to Philadelphia. He was appointed Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on November 23, 1793 by David Rittenhouse, Mint Director. His salary in 1795 was $1,200 per year. The Mint Director received only $800 dollars per year more. Scots ability to make dies was limited, and in his advanced years he had failing eyesight. His work was somewhat less than that done in Europe at the time, and Scot was criticized for its poor quality. Despite these limitations, he was responsible for designs of most of Americas first coins. These include the Flowing Hair and the Draped Bust motifs used on early silver coins and the Capped Bust gold coins. Scot also designed the 1794-1797 half-cent, the 1800-1808 draped bust half-cent, and the Thomas Jefferson Indian Peace Medal.

In its population report, PCGS shows 2 1802/1 BB-235 silver dollars in XF40 condition with 2  higher.