The June 2012 Baltimore Auction

Auction # 137 | View Auction Schedule and Details

Pre-Bidding Ends: 6/29/2012 9:00:00 AM PST
Live Floor and Internet Bidding Begins: 6/29/2012 10:00:00 AM PST

Lot #3001. 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. B-1, BB-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. BB Die State III. VF Details--Surfaces Tooled (PCGS).

Rare 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar With Very Fine Details

Description:

The obverse and reverse show evidence of heating and there is minor tooling on the letters NITED of UNITED to strengthen these. Of course the left side of these 1794 dollars are always weakly struck, and many show evidence of repairs in this area. The tops of the letters from STATES are also soft, along with the opposing stars on the obverse, but all are visible. Numerous small circulation marks are present and for further identification these are mentioned on this important and historical relic of our history. One is a shallow scratch crossing a few leaves and the branch below F of OF, another is a minor dig on the outer leaf at the 9 o'clock position and a diagonal nick on the eagle's breast. The obverse has a few digs in the field near Liberty's nose and chin, as well as others, which should assist in any future pedigree research. The date is rather strong with the 4 plain and sharp for this prized silver dollar. Liberty's hair curls show enough definition to please most collectors, as these often are found with extensive wear. Despite the light brush marks seen around the rims, there does not appear to be any adjustment marks, and this is certainly a favorable event on a 1794 silver dollar as virtually all of these are peppered with these file marks that extend around the rims on one or even both sides. The centering is good and the rims lack heavy marks that often mar these important coins. While the surfaces have obviously been altered to some degree, and this is a common fact of life for a 1794 silver dollar, there is some medium gray toning with deeper accents around the devices. There are perhaps 130 different examples of 1794 silver dollars, each is pedigreed in specialized reference works leading back to the pioneering research of Walter Breen and Jack Collins on this subject, and updated through the work of Martin Loggies.

PCGS# 6851.

Jonathan K. Kern October 1977; New England Rare Coin Galleries, Lee S. Bellisario in their FPL #40 of March 24, 1978; our (Stack's) auction of October 13, 2004: Lot 1499.