the eagle was the largest denomination authorized by the mint act of 1792, which established the bureau of the mint. it was not struck until 1795, as the mint at first struck copper and silver coins. the number of stars on the obverse was initially intended to be equal to the number of states in the union, but with the number at 16, that idea was abandoned in favor of using 13 stars in honor of the original states. the initial reverse, featuring an eagle with a wreath in its mouth, proved unpopular and was replaced by a heraldic eagle.