The 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar- America’s First Silver Dollar Finally Recognized As The Original

In the annals of U.S. numismatic history, few coins carry as much prestige as the 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar. Long considered the first silver dollar struck by the United States Mint, this rare coin is now widely recognized as the first U.S. silver dollar.

Its journey from concept to legend spans millennia of debate, discovery, and record-breaking auctions.

The Design & Minting of the 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar

1. Who Crafted It & Design Details

• The coin’s obverse bears the image of Lady Liberty with flowing hair, encircled by 15 stars, symbolizing the then-15 states of the Union.
• The reverse features a small eagle within a wreath.
• Both sides were designed and engraved by Robert Scot at the Philadelphia Mint.
• The edge is lettered with the motto “HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT.”

2. Specifications & Mintage

According to current assessments:

• Net mintage: 1,758 coins (though estimates vary slightly).
• Weight: 27.00 grams
• Diameter: 40.00 mm
• Metal composition: 90% silver, 10% copper
• Mint location: Philadelphia (no mint mark)

These figures reflect a coin produced at the dawn of U.S. federal coinage — a bold step asserting national monetary sovereignty.

Why It’s Recognized as the First U.S. Silver Dollar

For decades, numismatists debated which coin truly deserved the title “first silver dollar.” Over time, evidence converged in favor of the 1794 Flowing Hair piece:

• Historical records show silver dollar production began in 1794 under early Mint policies and the Coinage Act framework.
• Its rarity (only 1,758 struck) and pattern-like characteristics suggest it was among the earliest valid strikes.
• Some extant specimens show prooflike surfaces, superior strike quality, and even special treatment, elevating them above ordinary business strikes.
• In recent years, one exceptional example — graded SP66 and later MS67 by CAC — is considered by many experts to be the finest known 1794 dollar, strengthening its claim as the original.

Thus, combining archival research, physical evidence, and collector consensus, the 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar is now broadly recognized as the first true U.S. silver dollar.

Rarity, Auction Records & Market Value

The 1794 dollar is not just historically significant — it’s one of the most valuable coins ever auctioned.

• Only 150–200 surviving examples are estimated to exist in varied conditions.
• A standout specimen sold in 2013 fetched over $10 million — making it a benchmark for numismatic pricing.
• More recently, a rare 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar was graded MS67 (by CAC) and insured for $15 million — a testament to how prized this coin remains today.

Its extreme scarcity plus legendary status make it a centerpiece of any serious American coin collection.

1794 Flowing Hair Dollar — Key Attributes & Highlights

Category	Detail / Value
Recognized as	First U.S. silver dollar
Designer & Engraver	Robert Scot
Net Mintage	1,758 coins
Survivors Estimated	Around 150–200 currently known
Weight	27.00 grams
Diameter	40.00 mm
Metal Composition	90% silver, 10% copper
Edge Inscription	“HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT”
Notable Auction Price	> $10 million (2013 sale)
Current Finest Grading	CAC MS67 insured for $15 million

Why This Coin Matters Beyond Dollars & Cents

The importance of the 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar is both numismatic and symbolic:

• It marks the formal beginning of U.S. coinage in silver — turning theory into tangible national currency.
• As a design by Robert Scot, it connects the early Mint’s artistic ambitions to the Republic’s identity.
• Its survival through centuries — in extremely limited numbers — gives collectors and historians a physical bridge to the early federal era.
• High valuations and record auctions reinforce how the coin’s scarcity and prestige make it an icon in both financial and cultural realms.

The 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar is no mere artifact — it is America’s silver coin genesis in metal form. With exceptional design, acute rarity, and monumental auction records, it holds a special place in U.S. numismatic lore.

Today, as consensus coalesces, this coin is recognized as the first U.S. silver dollar in every sense: historically, physically, and in the hearts of collectors everywhere.

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