1795 $1 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar, BB-27 3 Leaves PCGS XF40 (CAC)

Would you like to own a truly historic relic from the early days of our nation and first mint in Philadelphia? Well, then this 1795 Flowing Hair dollar fits the bill. PCGS has graded 150 of the 3 Leaves 1795 Flowing Hair dollar as XF40 with 289 finer. In CAC, there are 26 in 3 Leaves with 47 finer.

The first silver dollar of our great nation was the Flowing Hair dollar. And even though the 1795 issue can be on the expensive side, when compared to the price of the 1794 issue, it is a real bargain.

Leaf comparison on the 1795 $1 Flowing Hair dollar, courtesy of PCGS Coinfacts.

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."