Draped Bust Dollar Small Eagle - Improved Design
The United States first minted coins were the Flowing Hair Dollar and Half Dollar. However, they lasted only two years, from 1794 to 1795. Substitution of the brief Flowing Hair design was a direct result of the Mint's change in leadership. David Rittenhouse resigned as the Mint’s first director in June 1795, succeeded by Henry William DeSaussure. DeSaussure’s first order of business was to improve the designs of all the denominations.
