1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. BB-1, B-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4. EF Details--Obverse Repaired (NGC). A remarkable second offering for this prized rarity in U.S. numismatics - the historic first year 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar rarity. Both sides present a uniform appearance in hand with an even endowment of light sandy-gray retoning that provides a relatively pleasing appearance. The left obverse periphery is softly defined, as often seen for the issue and due to the dies having become misaligned in a press that was initially intended for smaller-size coins anyhow. Stars 1 to 6 are more or less faint and the bases of the digits 17 in the date are also affected, albeit to a lesser degree. BB Die State III with clash marks on both sides and the third hair curl shallow. Three prominent planchet flaws (as made) on that side instantly identify this coin, the boldest one nestled within the lowest tresses of Libertys hair, which position largely saved it from tooling that helps to explain the NGC qualifier. The second planchet flaw at the letter Y in LIBERTY and star 9 has been smoothed somewhat, and a larger one at the lower right border that has obscured star 14 and most of star 15 shows evidence of considerable smoothing. The left reverse periphery is soft, again due to the dies having become misaligned in the press, but overall detail on that side is bolder than it is on the obverse. The surfaces also glossy in texture, further explanation for the NGC qualifier, while light pin scratches in the upper left obverse field and on the reverse through the eagles head are also noted. The acquisition of any 1794 dollar is a noteworthy accomplishment for the numismatist, the inclusion of same the sign of an advanced cabinet. While far from a perfect example, the present piece has much to offer the collector seeking to take their early dollar cabinet to the next significant level. From Edward Cogans sale of the Michael Moore Collection, May 1879, lot 611; J.C. Morgenthau & Co.s sale of the John C. Lighthouse Collection, February 1936, lot 208; our (Stacks) sale of the Fred S. Guggenheimer Collection, January 1953, lot 945; Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of February 2004, lot 6106; Superiors Santa Clara Elite Coin Auction of July 2005, lot 1102; Ira & Larry Goldbergs Pre-Long Beach Auction of May 2006, lot 3009; Heritages Long Beach Signature Auction of September 2007, lot 1847; Heritages sale of the Pellegrini Collection, January 2016 FUN Signature Auction, lot 5435; Heritages ANA Signature Auction of August 2016, lot 4151.
