1795 $1 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar PCGS VF-30 Silver Plug

As it turns out, it was a New England museum that consigned this exact coin to a Stacks auction in 2013. One could easily say "new to the market!" Offered as lot 1007, it sold for $21,150 to an eager audience (yes, we were in attendance!). The Silver Plug is scarce die variety, identified by the unique intersection of Star 1 with Liberty’s lowest hair curl, 14 berries in the reverse wreath, and three leaves beneath each wing. The coin’s surfaces, embracing mottled light toning and an even general-circulation wear, remain free of distracting post-strike blemishes, though faint adjustment marks grace the reverse.

The creation of this variety—a ingenious solution to weight inconsistencies—marks a fleeting moment in American numismatic history, abandoned by mid-1795, making this coin an extraordinary treasure for collectors. The silver plug, a hallmark of the Mint’s early challenges, was a clever workaround to ensure precise weight standards without restarting the arduous refining process. By punching a hole in lightweight planchets and inserting a silver plug, the Mint achieved the correct weight, sometimes adjusting with file marks as seen here. These plugs, often subtly outlined or blended seamlessly by the strike, reflect the Founding Fathers’ determination to establish a respected Federal coinage. Found only in select 1794 and 1795 silver dollars and rare 1795 half dollars, this newly surfaced masterpiece embodies the ambition and innovation of a fledgling nation, poised to captivate bidders and avoid international ridicule through its impeccable craftsmanship.