Diagnostic Controls & Presets The King of American Coins
Diagnostic Forensic Readings
Forensic Attribution Diagnostic
Real-time metallurgical and die variety cross-examination verified against certified populations.
Technical Breakdown: Physics, Metallurgy & Die Diagnostics
Struck in 1834 for US diplomatic envoy Edmund Roberts to present to the King of Siam and Sultan of Muscat.
Six specimens reside permanently in museum collections, leaving only nine available to private collectors worldwide.
Documented Benchmark Auction Records
Record-shattering benchmark for American coinage; pristine reflective fields with deep cameo contrast.
Sold complete with the original presentation case given by Edmund Roberts to King Rama III of Siam in 1836.
Finest known Class III restrike, showcasing authentic crushed edge lettering from the 1859 Mint restrike collar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 1804 Silver Dollar called the 'King of American Coins'?
Because it is the most famous, romanticized, and intensely coveted numismatic rarity in the world. Although dated 1804, none were struck in 1804. Only 15 authentic specimens exist, and their discovery and diplomatic origins have captivated collectors for nearly two centuries.
When were 1804 Silver Dollars actually struck?
The first examples (Class I) were struck in November 1834 at the Philadelphia Mint. The State Department requested complete cased sets of US coinage to be presented by diplomatic envoy Edmund Roberts to Asian monarchs, including the King of Siam (Thailand) and the Sultan of Muscat (Oman). Because Mint records showed dollars were last struck in 1804, dies dated 1804 were newly engraved.
What is the difference between Class I, Class II, and Class III 1804 Dollars?
Class I (8 known) are the original 1834 diplomatic strikes with correct lettered edge. Class II is a unique specimen in the Smithsonian struck clandestinely around 1858 over an 1857 Swiss Shooting Thaler with a plain edge. Class III (6 known) were struck around 1859 for favored collectors with lettered edge re-applied in a collar, resulting in flattened letters.
Did the US Mint strike any silver dollars in 1804?
While Mint records state 19,570 silver dollars were delivered in 1804, numismatic research by Eric P. Newman and Kenneth Bressett proved that all of those coins were struck from leftover dies dated 1802 and 1803. Not a single dollar bearing the date 1804 was struck in that calendar year.
How can I detect a fake 1804 Silver Dollar?
Real 1804 dollars have specific die markers: on the obverse, the 'E' in 'LIBERTY' is tilted, and the right side of the letter 'T' is missing its serif. Counterfeits are typically genuine 1801, 1802, or 1803 dollars where a jeweler carved the final digit into a '4', or modern cast/struck replicas with incorrect weight and plain edges.
Where is the King of Siam 1804 Dollar today?
The King of Siam specimen, along with its original leather presentation case and matching diplomatic proof coins, was sold in a private treaty sale in 2005 for over $10 million, and is valued today in excess of $12.6 million.
How much is an 1804 Silver Dollar worth?
Due to extreme demand among billionaires and major institutions, an authentic 1804 dollar is virtually unobtainable under $2.5 million. Even an impaired or circulated specimen brings $2M to $4M, while top Gem examples exceed $10M+ at public auction.