ANA - Witness History: The Finest 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar coin on Display for the Last Time!
At the 2024 World's Fair of Money in Chicago, Ian Russell from GreatCollections presented one of the most significant pieces of American numismatic history. Attendees had the rare opportunity to witness the legendary 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, revered by experts as the very first silver dollar ever struck by the U.S. Mint. This exceptional Specimen (SP)-66 coin, valued at an astounding $15 million, was showcased for what may have been the last time before it transitioned into a private collection.
GreatCollections, the ANA's Official Auctioneer, acquired this masterpiece for a record-breaking $12 million at the 2022 ANA World's Fair of Money®. This historic coin represents more than just a piece of metal—it symbolizes America's early monetary history and the artistry of the fledgling U.S. Mint.
The 2024 World's Fair of Money in Chicago offered a treasure trove of numismatic wonders, educational opportunities, and the chance to connect with fellow collectors. For those who attended, it was an exclusive opportunity to delve into the fascinating history of one of America's most valuable and storied coins. Whether a seasoned collector or new to the hobby, this event provided unforgettable moments in the world of numismatics.
Certainly a sight to see! I was walking by and surprised to see the coin at random in their display case!! I am thrilled the coin was photographed because before this event, you could only find the washed-out photos from the 2013 Stack's auction. Accurate, in-hand appearance was unknown to me. GC did a really great job with the photos and video.
Fun to see friends and acquaintances in the background. Rare sighting of David Hall and his beloved wife at their CMQ booth.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955 Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves.
With the quality of images and information about this coin, I wonder what the next generation of counterfeits will look like.
IN NECESSARIIS UNITAS - IN DUBIIS LIBERTAS - IN OMNIBUS CARITAS THE MAN IN THE ARENA, Theodore Roosevelt at the Sorbonne Paris on April 23, 1910: "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." My coin website:https://fairfaxcoins.com
I was getting a little nervous over the way he was flipping the 1794 over and over in his hand, and then from hand to hand... I could picture him dropping it mid-interview, exclaiming "Whooops!", and then having it land on the floor where the case cracks open and Lady Liberty rolls out and circles to a stop. He bends over to pick it up but accidentally kicks the coin underneath the booth where it slides out into the aisle. A juvenile walking by licking a vanilla ice cream cone inadvertently drops a large dollop onto the coin; when his father scolds him, the kid angrily stomps his foot in protest, landing squarely on the delicious dollar and further imbuing it with gloopy glucose. Then someone's mixed breed Fido sees the tempting treat, runs over, picks it up in his mouth and runs out a side door while 100 aging numismatists run after him and waving their canes as they try to retrieve the pilfered piece. Fido scoots into his backyard, digs a hole, deposits the captured cartwheel and covers it up. The cops are called onto the scene, but when they locate the pooch, all they find is a contended cur with vanilla bean on its breath.
Quote: How does a coin earn SP-66 with those ugly adjustment marks? This is not eye candy.
The easy answer is "adjustment marks are mint made and should not affect the grade of a coin."
Reality: You are stepping into the realm of coin politics.
Suffering from bust half fever. Want to learn how to attribute early half dollars by die variety? Click Here: http://goccf.com/t/434955 Shoot me a PM if you are looking to sell bust halves.
I'll tell you lately Ive been having a real strong urge to try and find me one of these seated or draped since the flowing hairs are out of my reach. A 1/2 dollar maybe, some day, but the dollars are way past my budget.
I find this just a gorgeous coin. So much so I felt a little angry the guy was handling it so haphazardly. and without reverence. This isn't just another coin. Its true American numismatic history in magnificent shape.
Clearly Not many of these in Mint State laying around, I too am seeing people consider the Scrapes on the Obverse possibly the Mint's " adjustment marks ".
I am not really sure about that, I am sure I Too Love the posted slabbed Example.
Maybe someone could offer up Another plausible Possibility, Besides the Juvenile kid stepping on the coin. I would enjoy knowing the complete provenance of this coin, Who famously First had this.
I remember Ben Franklin had Helped the Mint's First Silver coins, I recall learning Ben had Given up His Silver-Ware to melt down for the First Silver American Coins. ( Hard to believe Ben was Not reward Some Coins fresh off the Press...... ).
I am intrigued Also knowing This coin was the First Silver dollar We minted in America, Did Benjamin Franklin tuck this coin away for His Relatives, Why have We Not heard about B. Franklin's Tucked away coins from 1794..He was Very instrumental in helping make Our First Coinage, NO.....
Quote: How does a coin earn SP-66 with those ugly adjustment marks?
Worse for me is the apparent rim ding near the I in Liberty. Or is that also original to the coin from the mint? Not to disparage, this is of course in the running for 'greatest coin in the world', but I wonder about that number 66.
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Posted 06/19/2025 12:12 pm
