The first reverse is the Small Eagle that is similar to the 1794-95 design. In this version of the design, the earlier all laurel wreath is replaced by half palm and half laurel wreath of approximately the same size. The ends of the wreath are tied together with a ribbon in a bow. The design is encircled with the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Dentils are at the periphery of both sides of the coin, and the edge is inscribed ONE HUNDRED CENTS…ONE DOLLAR…OR UNIT.

1797 Silver Dollar - The pictured coin is a Draped Bust, Small Eagle dollar. It is the BB-73 variety, which had 16 obverse stars. Nine stars are to the left and seven are to the right. There are heavy die file lines in front of Liberty’s neck, most of which slant down to the right. This obverse die was also used to strike BB-72. The reverse uses Large Letters.

There are 8 berries in the left branch of the wreath. The lowest berry is near the ribbon bow on the inside of the wreath. A leaf ends under the center of the upright of the E in STATES, and a leaf points to the left corner of the I in UNITED. Another leaf points to the left corner of the first T in STATES. All of the A’s in the legend show a defect in their upper left corner. This reverse die was also used to strike the 1798 BB-82.

Approximate cost: G $1,750; VF $6,000; AU50 $17,500; MS60 $57,000

The second reverse is the Heraldic or Large Eagle. Across the eagle’s neck is a ribbon that is inscribed with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. It its right talon it holds a bundle of arrows; in its left is an olive branch. Above the eagle is a group of stars, arranged in different patterns, and above them is an arc of clouds. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircles the design. Like the previous issue, dentils are at the periphery of both sides of the coin, and the edge is inscribed ONE HUNDRED CENTS…ONE DOLLAR…OR UNIT.

Scot’s Heraldic or Large Eagle has been the subject of some controversy because instead of following the pattern used on the Great Seal of the United States, Scot reversed the position of the olive branch and arrows. Held in the right or dexter claw, the arrows represent defiant militarism. Some have held that Scot simply made an error; however, others believe that the change was a deliberate warning to France and the other European powers to be mindful of the sovereignty of the United States. At the time there was a naval war with France known as the Franco-American or Quasi-War over shipping rights. There is no doubt that France would have been sensitive to a change in heraldry such as was done on the coinage of this time.

1799 Silver Dollar - The second illustrated coin is a Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle dollar. It is the BB-166 variety, which is an example of one of the 7X6 Obverse Stars dollars. The letters of LIBERTY are close to each other. Star 8 is the closest star, and it is slightly closer to the Y than Star 7 is to the L in LIBERTY. Star 1 is farther from the hair curl than Star 13 is from the bust. The numeral 1 of the date is recut to a straight top. On the reverse, the A in STATES touches the clouds, and the right edge of A is over Cloud 3. The leaf of the olive branch points to the center of the I in AMERICA. The first A touches both Feathers 3 and 4. The letters ME are joined at their bottoms. The point of Star 12 touches the eagle’s beak, and two points of Star 2 touch clouds.

Approximate cost: G $900; VF $2,500; AU50 $8,000; MS60 $25,000