1795 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. BB-27, B-5. Rarity-1. Three Leaves. AU-58 (PCGS). Flashy and lustrous with golden iridescence that intensifies in the protected areas. Smooth in hand with remarkable semi-prooflike reflectivity shining forth from the fields. Light friction is apparent under a glass but the surfaces are free from any distracting abrasions. A lovely Choice AU example that would do equally well in a high grade type set or specialized early dollar collection. BB Die State III. While first introduced in 1794, it was not until 1795 that the silver dollar was produced in numbers that would allow it to fulfill its intended role as the monetary unit of the fledgling nation. The number of dollars coined in 1795 is a matter of quite a bit of debate. The official Mint reports state that all told 203,033 dollars were coined in 1795, but there is no differentiation between the Flowing Hair and the Draped Bust types. Most references now generally cite a mintage of 160,295 for the 1795 Flowing Hair dollars. More recent scholarship by Q. David Bowers indicates that figure may actually be far too low and that the total number of 1795 Flowing Hair dollars minted is likely closer to 290,000 pieces. Since the early United States Mint frequently used dies regardless of the date appearing on them, there may have been as many as 185,000 examples of this issue struck as late as 1798, a number derived after very careful die state analysis. With perhaps as many as 290,000 examples struck for the 1795 Flowing Hair, it is clear that mass production was intended and these coins were no longer symbolic as they were in 1794, but rather were intended to play a significant role in the commerce of the new nation. With 1794 dollars out of reach of most collectors and seldom available, the 1795 BB-27 dollar has long filled the bill for those seeking an example of this issue. Expect spirited bidding for this particularly appealing Choice AU example. From the Macon Collection.
