As a coin expert, I have spent years studying and analyzing the value of different coins. And when it comes to $1 coins, there are some that stand out above the rest. These coins have a value that far exceeds their face value, making them highly sought after by collectors and investors alike. One of the most popular $1 coins is the 1-ounce silver eagle coin. Produced by the United States Mint, this coin is the only official silver coin with investment quality.
Its high silver content and beautiful design make it a favorite among collectors. But what makes this coin even more valuable are the multi-year-old eagles with certain mint marks or varieties, such as the 1994 Proof silver eagle. These coins tend to appreciate in value over time, making them a smart investment. In 1971, the Mint stopped producing silver coins and replaced the image of Lady Liberty with that of President Dwight Eisenhower on the one-dollar coin. This marked a major design change for the coin, but it wasn't until 1979 that another significant change was made.
That year, civil rights leader Susan B. Anthony became the first real woman to be featured on an American coin in circulation. But these modern coins pale in comparison to some of the rare and unique $1 coins from earlier years. One such coin is the Flowing Hair silver dollar from 1794. With fewer than 120 believed to exist today, this coin is extremely rare and highly coveted by collectors. What makes it even more special is the silver cap in the center, which is believed to be the first coin minted in the 1794 dollar series to feature this unique design element. Another rare find is the Seated Liberty silver dollar from 1870 with a remarkably small S mint mark.
This small mint mark is considered a mistake, making it one of the most popular $1 coins in the United States. And then there are the 1852 Seated Liberty dollars, which come in several varieties. The Original Strike variety, with no motto on the reverse, is one of the rarest and most valuable dollar coins, with fewer than 1000 known to exist. But perhaps the most famous and valuable $1 coin is the 1804 Draped Bust dollar. With several varieties, the "Small 3" variety is highly prized by collectors.
This variety is distinguished by the unusually small number 3 on the date, lacking an additional serif in the top bar. Today, there are only about 15 known copies of this coin. Interestingly, the Mint actually produced an impressive amount of 20,000 silver dollars in 1804, but no other silver dollars were minted for several years after that. This led to a high demand for these coins among collectors, who knew they would be the last silver coins for some time. In fact, in 1834, special sets were even minted with the date 1804 to give as gifts to foreign representatives. The 1796 silver dollar also has several varieties that are highly sought after by collectors.
The most well-known are those with a large date and lowercase letters, as well as those with a small date and lowercase letters. And then there's the 1795 silver dollar with a variety of centered and off-center busts. These coins were actually minted in the 1850s and 1860s, but were dated 1803 and intended for wealthy collectors who had created a demand for these scarce test dollars. Finally, we come to the "king" of all Morgan dollars - the 1893-S Morgan Dollar. With only 100,000 minted and an estimated 9,000 still in existence, this coin is incredibly rare and valuable.
And the ones minted in San Francisco are even rarer, with only about 120 known to exist in mint condition. As you can see, there are many $1 coins that are worth much more than their face value. Whether you're a collector or an investor, these coins are definitely worth keeping an eye out for. Who knows, you may just come across one of these valuable coins in your pocket change!.
