1794 copper coin served as a prototype for the famed “Flowing Hair” silver dollar

From Smithsonian: A one-of-a-kind coin struck at the United States Mint in 1794 sold at Heritage Auctions last week for $840,000—significantly more than its estimate of $350,000 to $500,000.
According to the auction listing, the coin—dubbed the “No Stars Flowing Hair” dollar—“has a strong claim to being the first dollar struck by the U.S. Mint.” Its obverse, or front side, was minted from a different die than the famed Flowing Hair coins, making it unique among an already singular class of coin.

Of the 1,748 Flowing Hair dollars issued by the Mint in 1794, just 140 to 150 survive today. An exceptionally well-preserved specimen sold for $10,016,875 in 2013, marking the highest price ever paid at auction for a single coin.

 

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Nice write up. I just purchased my 1795 dollar and am frothing at the mouth to receive her.

 

This was already posted but NICE write-up anyways ! Thanks for sharing .

 

Our fledgling nation's first representative symbols of freedom and strength. It is ironic that the eagle, a highly revered paragon of the indigenous people, was chosen as one of our nation's symbols.

 

Didn't Ben Franklin suggest we use the turkey as our national bird?

 

When I win the lottery, she will be MINE! [note to self, start playing the lottery]

 

A very famous and significant die trial. I wish I owned it. And it was found in the dirt at the original Mint site, as I recall.

 

For a 1 in 17,000,000,000 chance of winning the lottery, I'll save my money and beat you to the sale. Good luck to both of us...

 

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/prototype-of-1st-us-dollar-coins-auctioned-for-840k.379664/

...but your write-up was much better than mine ;-)

But this one beat us both:

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/bob-simpsons-prototype-1794-dollar-sells-for-840-000.379583/

 

congratulations!

 

I'm sorry, I didn't know I was reposting old news...I just received it on my Smithsonian email yesterday!

 

Pics?

 

Still in transit! This is the true view from PCGS. It probably looks familiar.

 

Thanks. Yes, it does look familiar. Where have I seen it?

 

Mister @C-B-D was quizzing the board about variety attributions a week or so back. For me it was love at first sight and I twisted his arm.