Draped Bust

I know for a fact that they weren't hammered. I'm not too sure about steam press because it might have not been invented yet. I'm guessing it was kinda like a normal coin press except done by hand? Maybe someone else has some more info that they can help and answer your question.

Production of US coinage by steam press began in 1836(the Thonnelier steam press was invented in 1833). Prior to that, they were produced by screw press as Bonedigger mentioned so all Draped Bust coinage was produced in this manner.

http://www.sln.org/pieces/knox/screwpresses.htm
http://www.sln.org/pieces/knox/steampower.htm
http://www.fi.edu/pieces/knox/index.html

Matthew Boulton would be shamed to hear that the steam press was not invented until 1833, since he was using it in his Birmingham mint in the 1790's - otherwise wonderful coins like the 1797 cartwheel pennies, and tuppence would not have been otherwise possible.

This piece is massive, weighs three ounces and couldn't have possibly been struck on a screw press:



Coincidentally, the largest circulating monetary instrument ever used in Great Britain.

<< I was especially wondering
how they were made,hammers,steam press,what?
Did they strike all the details separately or at once?
Can someone tell me how early America made their coins.>>

The draped bust coins were struck using screw presses. The features on the Half Cent through quarters were all struck into the coin at one time, the lettered edges on the half dollar and dollar were applied to the planchets before they were struck. (Contrary to common belief the reeded edge coins WERE struck in a reeded collar. They were not reeded before striking.) Now the dies were created by individual punches. The central device was impressed using the screwpress, and then all of the letters, stars, dentils etc were punched in by hand. Often some hand regraving/retouching would have to be done to parts of the hair, leaf stems, berries etc.