Flowing Hair Dollars 1794-1795

About This Series

Robert Scot's Flowing Hair dollar represents the dawn of the American silver dollar — a denomination that would become the most celebrated in United States numismatic history. The 1794 dollar holds the record as the most valuable coin ever sold at auction: a specimen graded SP66 by PCGS, believed to be the first silver dollar struck by the U.S. Mint, realized $10,016,875 at Stack's Bowers in January 2013. Only approximately 1,758 of the authorized 2,000 dollars were deemed acceptable, and roughly 130-140 survive today, making the 1794 one of the most famous dates in numismatics. The 1795 is considerably more available, with a mintage of 160,295, but still commands strong premiums as an iconic early American silver type. The obverse features Liberty with flowing, unbound hair — a symbol of freedom — while the reverse depicts a small eagle perched within an open laurel wreath. Struck in .8924 fine silver at 26.96 grams on a 39-40mm planchet, Flowing Hair dollars were the largest coins the new Mint had attempted. The Bolender reference catalogs die varieties for both years, with the 1795 offering numerous die marriages for specialists. These coins represent the literal beginning of the American dollar — and holding a Flowing Hair dollar means touching the physical origin of a monetary unit that would become the world's dominant reserve currency.

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