 In proposing his plan for a mint and a coinage system , Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1791 proposed that the one @-@ dollar denomination be struck both as a gold coin , and as one of silver , representative of the two metals which he proposed be made legal tender . Congress followed Hamilton 's recommendation only in part , authorizing a silver dollar , but no coin of that denomination in gold . 
 In proposing his plan for a mint and a coinage system , Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1791 proposed that the one @-@ dollar denomination be struck both as a gold coin , and as one of silver , representative of the two metals which he proposed be made legal tender . Congress followed Hamilton <a href='null_genetive' title='1'><mark>'s</mark></a>recommendation only in part , authorizing a silver dollar , but no coin of that denomination in gold . 
In proposing his plan for a mint and a coinage system , Secretary of da Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1791 proposed dat the one @-@ dollar denomination be struck both as a gold coin , and as one of silver , representative of tdatwo metals which he proposed be made legal tender . Congress followed Hamilton  recommendation only in part , authorizing a silver dollar , but no coin of that denomination in gold .