Newly Discovered 1794 Dollar is Certified by NGC and Headed to Auction

A remarkably well-struck and well-preserved 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar was recently certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) and will now be in the spotlight in an upcoming sale. Its price is likely to quickly reach six figures once online bidding opens this month for the Stack’s Bowers Galleries August Rarities Night ANA Auction being held on August 17, 2021.

Graded NGC AU 55, the coin is a newcomer to the census, having been recently discovered in the United Kingdom. Only about 150 survivors are known of the United States’ inaugural silver dollar, from a mintage of 1,758.

1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar graded NGC AU-55 Click images to enlarge.

Authorized by the Act of April 2, 1792, but not minted until two years later, the 1794 Flowing Hair is among the most important coins ever struck by the United States Mint. It served as the prototype for the unit upon which America’s monetary system was based. It was prized by collectors immediately upon striking and remains cherished by numismatists today.

Also exciting collectors with an eye on the sale are two rare Draped Bust Eagles graded by NGC, each of which is likely to realize six figures.

A 1795 9 Leaves $10 graded NGC AU 58 is the rarest and most famous of the BD-3 Draped Bust, Small Eagle die varieties. Only about 20 examples of this variety are known and few are graded higher than this one.

1795 9 Leaves $10 graded NGC AU 58 Click images to enlarge.

An 1803 Large Stars Reverse $10 graded NGC MS 66 is the highest-graded example of the famous BD-5 variety. With 14 stars instead of the usual 13, only about 90 to 110 of these coins are believed to exist. Due to the extra star, the 1803 BD-5 is one of the most readily attributable and eagerly sought varieties in the entire Capped Bust Right eagle series of 1795 to 1804.

1803 Draped Bust Large Stars Reverse $10 graded NGC MS 66 Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified rarities in the auction include:

• a 1797 16 Stars Half Dime graded NGC MS 62
• an 1823/2 Capped Bust Quarter graded NGC AU 50 and pedigreed to the Eliasberg Collection
• an 1852 Seated Liberty Dollar Restrike graded NGC PF 60
• an 1877 Trade Dollar graded NGC PF 66
• a 1795 Small Eagle $5 graded NGC XF 45
• a 1797 Large Eagle $10 graded NGC AU 58
• an 1861 Liberty Head $20 graded NGC MS 64
• an 1851 “880” No “50” Augustus Humbert $50 graded NGC AU Details
• an 1853 Round Liberty Gold 50 Cents graded NGC UNC Details
• an 1853 Round Liberty Gold 50 Cents graded NGC MS 63
• a 1913 Saint-Gaudens $20 graded NGC MS 65

Related Links

NGC Population Report: Early Dollars (1794 to 1804)

NGC Population Report: Draped Bust $10 (1795 to 1904)