Long regarded as a key early Federal coin, the Draped Bust / Small Eagle dollar has beensubject to more than its fair share of unfounded speculation and mythmaking. In this book theauthor separates fact from fiction. He refutes the assertion that the Early Dollars of the UnitedStates were deficient in silver, uncovers the real reason for their export to the Caribbean in the1790s (clarifying the real nature of the oft-quoted for Mexican 8 Reales), refutesthe myth of Gilbert Stuart's involvement in the Draped Bust design-giving credit, instead, toJohn Eckstein, whose 3-dimensional wax models were the basis for Robert Scot's designs ofOctober 1795-and presents reliable evidence, in the form of actual PCGS population counts byvariety, of the surviving numbers of each-totals significantly lower than those proposed byBowers in 1993. A suggested total mintage for the series is similarly calculated, and the changeto the Heraldic Eagle reverse is put into the historical context of the undeclared war withFrance in the spring of 1798. An updated list of the finest known examples is presented for eachdie marriage, and all major die states are illustrated for the first time. Finally, he has provided a feature for each variety, suggesting ways in which the knowledgeablecollector may assemble an impressive array of these truly rare coins without spending a fortunein the process. These pieces are written in the spirit of his Editor's Introductions to Penny-Wise,for which he has received multiple awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild.

A member of the Rittenhouse Society, editor of Penny-Wise since 1986, and a charter memberof the John Reich Collectors Society, the author's fascination with the Early Dollars of theUnited States began when asked by Dave Bowers to help edit his Silver Dollars and TradeDollars of the United States (1993). Following his retirement, after 34 years as a practicingfamily physician (2011), he was able to delve more deeply into the history and iconography ofthese impressive coins. This book, seven years in the making, is the result.

Hardbound in blue cloth, Smythe-sewn binding, lettered in gilt, with a dust jacket, 288 pages,extensively illustrated in color on glossy paper. Available from the author for $145 postpaid.

P. O. Box 1691
Hastings, NE 68902
hesalyards@gmail.com.