1795 $1 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, 3 Leaves BB-27 PCGS XF45

A precious treasure from the early days of our nation and the first Mint in Philadelphia, this specimen would be the perfect addition to the collection of a specialist in Flowing Hair coinage. The mintage of this 1795 $1 Flowing Hair BB-27 3 Leaves variety was 16,029. Only 65 examples of that variety have been graded by PCGS. Of those, there are 6 in XF45 with 22 finer. This piece is adorned with attractive original peach, russet and aqua toning.

The first U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, where this classic piece was struck in 1795.

It was in 1794 that a journalist first saw the then new Flowing Hair design upon a dollar and wrote a brief report on it. "Some of the dollars now coining at the Mint of the United States have found their way to this town. A correspondent put one into the editor's hand yesterday." He described the design elements found on both sides, as well as upon the edge. He concludes, "The tout ensemble has a pleasing effect to a connoisseur; but the touches of the graver are too delicate, and there is a want of that boldness of execution which is necessary to durability and currency."

Writes numismatic art historian Cornelius Vermeule, "This criticism of device, style, and execution is one of the earliest surviving impressions of the first monumental coin of the United States." He discusses the Flowing Hair design of Robert Scot: "The young face and the youthful, flowing hair were admired symbols of the young republic." He also discusses the "goose-necked, tubular eagle within a wreath."