1802 Silver Dollar Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

Are you collecting Draped Bust silver dollars? You may be curious about the 1802 silver dollar value—is it rare? Is it worth adding to your collection? How do you assess its grade?

The 1802 silver dollar is an important coin for anyone building a Draped Bust collection. While it isn’t considered a key date, its historical significance and relatively low mintage make it highly sought after by collectors. Even in lower grades, these coins often command premium prices. Mint State and Gem examples are extremely rare, and although the prices can be steep, these uncirculated coins are still valuable for collectors.

This guide will walk you through the history of the 1802 silver dollar, its key physical characteristics, and expert advice on how to authenticate and grade it. You’ll also learn about interesting die varieties and minting errors that may affect its value.

Let’s dive in and answer the big question: How much is an 1802 silver dollar worth?

1802 Silver Dollar Value Chart

Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1802-No Mint Mark Silver Dollar Value	$1,100	$1,975	$5,450	$265,000

History of the 1802 Silver Dollar

The 1802 silver dollar is one of the first silver coins minted by the United States Mint. It belongs to the Draped Bust coin series, which was produced between 1795 and 1803, after which silver dollars with the 1804 date were minted until the 1850s.

The Draped Bust dollar replaced the Flowing Hair dollar, the first U.S. silver dollar minted in 1794. The Flowing Hair dollar was only produced for one year before being redesigned when Henry William de Saussure took over as Mint Director in July 1795. Public dissatisfaction with the Flowing Hair design also played a role in this decision.

Artist Gilbert Stuart is believed to have designed the Draped Bust dollar, featuring Lady Liberty in draped clothing, possibly modeled after Ann Willing Bingham, a well-known socialite from Philadelphia. Mint Engraver Robert Scot and de Saussure approved Stuart’s designs, which were then sent to President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson for approval.

Production of the Draped Bust dollars began in late 1795. However, after de Saussure’s resignation over concerns about the silver standard, Elias Boudinot, the new Mint Director, stopped using the unauthorized silver composition and returned to the standards outlined in the Coinage Act of 1792.

The mintage of Draped Bust dollars began to decline as silver supplies dwindled. By 1810, only 54,454 silver dollars had been produced, and the mintage fell further in 1802 to just 41,650. In 1803, the Mint ceased producing silver dollars and didn’t resume until 1834 with the 1804-dated coins.

Because of its historical importance and low mintage, the 1802 silver dollar is highly coveted by collectors. However, it is also prone to counterfeiting, so it’s crucial to authenticate any examples you come across.

Features of the 1802 Silver Dollar

Let’s explore the physical features of the 1802 silver dollar. Understanding these details will help you accurately grade and authenticate the coin, as well as identify high-value Draped Bust dollars to enhance your collection.

Obverse of the 1802 Silver Dollar
The front of the coin shows a bust of Lady Liberty, with her hair loosely tied with a ribbon. The word LIBERTY appears above her portrait, and the year 1802 is inscribed below.

Thirteen stars surround Liberty’s portrait, seven on the left and six on the right, representing the original thirteen states.

Reverse of the 1802 Silver Dollar
The reverse depicts a heraldic eagle with a shield on its chest, symbolizing national independence and sovereignty. The eagle holds a bundle of arrows in its left talon, symbolizing victory and readiness to defend the nation, and an olive branch in its right talon, representing peace. The eagle also grasps a banner with the Latin phrase E Pluribus Unum, meaning “Out of Many, One.”

Above the eagle is a cluster of thirteen stars, and the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are engraved around the coin’s rim. Like the obverse, the reverse features a denticled rim.

Other Features of the 1802 Silver Dollar

• Diameter: 40.00 millimeters
• Weight: 27.00 grams
• Edge: Lettered: HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT
• Metal Composition: 89.2% silver, 10.8% copper
• ASW: 0.7731 oz
• Fineness: 0.892

1802 Silver Dollar Value Guides

The value of an 1802 silver dollar primarily depends on its condition and grade. The Philadelphia Mint struck just 41,650 silver dollars in 1802, and none of these coins carried a mintmark.

Here’s what you can expect in terms of value:

Circulated Examples: While the 1802 silver dollar is not as rare as those from earlier in the series, fewer survivors exist compared to years with higher mintages. Most surviving examples fall into the Fine to Very Fine grade range, which means that only a small number of these coins are available for collectors. As a result, even lower-grade coins command a premium. For example, pieces in Good (G) condition can sell for around $1,110, Fine (F) examples can reach $1,975, and Extremely Fine (XF) examples may fetch as much as $5,450. Rare coins graded About Uncirculated (AU58) can go for as much as $17,000.

Mint State Examples: Uncirculated coins are exceedingly rare and typically reserved for collectors with deep pockets. An MS60 example may sell for as much as $23,000, while a rare MS63 could fetch up to $84,000. Gems are incredibly rare, and an MS65 coin can sell for $265,000 or more.

Auction Record: A record-breaking MS65+ coin was sold by Heritage Auctions for an astounding $300,000, making it the most expensive 1802 silver dollar to date.

1802 Silver Dollar Grading

Grading the 1802 silver dollar can be tricky because of the coin’s age and rarity. To begin, authenticate your coin by comparing its key features with high-quality images or examples of genuine 1802 silver dollars.

Pay close attention to high-contact areas such as Liberty’s hair, cheek, and forehead. Lower-grade coins will show significant wear in these areas, while higher-grade coins will retain more detail. Similarly, assess the inscriptions, date, and stars—greater wear indicates a lower grade.

For the reverse, examine the eagle’s details, including the wings, tail feathers, shield, and talons. Look for any variations in the star arrangement and inscriptions that may differ by die marriage. Higher-grade coins will display sharper details, while lower-grade coins may have worn features.

Rare 1802 Silver Dollar Errors

Early coins like the 1802 silver dollar were struck by hand, leading to fewer errors but more die varieties. There are seven known die varieties for this coin, and they exhibit subtle differences in Liberty’s profile, such as her hair, forehead, and clothing.

There are also variations in the spacing between the date numbers and inscriptions, with wide and narrow date varieties being the most common. Additionally, the reverse features subtle differences in the eagle’s details and the positioning of the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

1. 1802 Silver Dollar Wide vs. Narrow Date Variety
Some collectors specialize in collecting the wide and narrow date varieties. As the name implies, the wide date variety has significant spacing between the numbers in the date, while the narrow date variety has the numbers placed closer together. While both varieties are popular among collectors, neither is more valuable than the other.

2. 1802 Silver Dollar Overdate Error
Another rare error is the overdate, where the “2” in 1802 is clearly punched over an underlying “1.” This occurs when the Mint used leftover coins from 1801 and re-punched them with 1802 dies. Overdate errors are uncommon and can significantly increase the coin’s value, with some examples selling for an additional $100-$250.

3. 1802 Silver Dollar Doubled Die Error
Doubled die errors occur when the die is misaligned, causing the coin to strike multiple times at slightly different angles. This results in doubling on inscriptions and design features, like Lady Liberty’s portrait. Coins with strong, visible doubling are more valuable and can fetch $50 to $200 more than a regular 1802 silver dollar.

Where to Sell Your 1802 Silver Dollar?

Now that you know the value of your 1802 silver dollar, you may be wondering where to sell it. There are plenty of online platforms where you can easily appraise and sell your coins. Make sure to choose a trusted marketplace to ensure you get the best price for your coins.

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