
The figure depicted on the obverse, or "heads" side, of the dollar is a profile portrait of Lady Liberty. This particular representation is notable because, unlike many earlier designs that were based on classical or mythological figures, it was modeled after a real American woman.
The coin's designer, George T. Morgan, used Anna Willess Williams, a schoolteacher from Philadelphia, as the model for Liberty's portrait. The choice to feature a contemporary American woman for the iconic figure was a distinct departure from previous coinage. The reverse side of the coin features an American bald eagle with its wings outstretched, a classic symbol of the nation.


