1795 $1 Flowing Hair, Two Leaves, B-1, BB-21, R.2, MS63 PCGS. CAC....

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1795 Flowing Hair Dollar, MS63
B-1, BB-21, Third Finest at PCGS, CAC

1795 $1 Flowing Hair, Two Leaves, B-1, BB-21, R.2, MS63 PCGS. CAC. Although the B-1, BB-21 variety is the most readily obtainable Two Leaves Flowing Hair dollar type, it falls far short of the 1795 B-5, BB-27 Three Leaves die pair in availability by variety. Early dollar specialists often seek both the Two Leaves and Three Leaves types, but at the MS63 grade level or finer the population thins out to the low single digits in terms of availability and soars well into six digits in price. All Flowing Hair dollars are rare at the Select Uncirculated level or finer. Thirty years ago upon publication of the two-volume Bowers-Borckardt Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States (1993) the present coin was listed at the top of the B-1. BB-21 list of Notable Specimens, where it was deemed finer than the Smith-Eliasberg coin, the F.C.C. Boyd example, and many others. More recently, the Bowers Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars 1794-1804 (2023) lists it fourth behind two Gem Uncirculated coins from the Stack Family type set and a third Gem piece, the Jack Lee specimen. It still resides solidly within the B-1, BB-21 Condition Census to this day. Its first documented auction appearance was in the Auction '84 Stacks section (lot 1180), where the cataloger wrote:

"The coin is perfectly struck but for a portion of the eagle's breast, due to planchet adjustment marks. The stars are needle-sharp with full radial lines. Even most of the veins on the leaves are apparent. Considerable prooflike surface on both sides. The obverse is a rich russet with faint iridescence, the reverse pale russet. This example is certainly in a class with the Lord St. Oswald dollars and is one of the finest we've been privileged to offer."

While the Lord St. Oswald comparison may be might raise a few eyebrows, the comparison is not far off. The fields are boldly reflective beneath dappled blue-gray and reddish-gold patina enlivened by light-blue accents. The strike is indeed needle-sharp, weakening only slightly at the eagle's neck where three or four short, remnant adjustment marks exist but they are by and large almost unnoticed. The lustrous and attractively toned surfaces are virtually mark-free in all other areas. The eye appeal for this Select early dollar is spectacular.

Too soon after its issue, the Flowing Hair silver dollar design was retired, becoming a short-lived type coin. It was replaced by the Draped Bust obverse and, a few years thereafter, by the Heraldic Eagle reverse. To many numismatists, the Flowing Hair design remains the truest depiction of the founding fathers' intentions. Liberty's free-flowing hair and the proud eagle with outstretched wings symbolize the newfound freedom enjoyed by the emergent United States of America. Today, the Flowing Hair design captures that fleeting moment in our history when our country was young. Liberty's upward gaze is filled with youthful determination. This Select early dollar represents one of the few examples of the Two Leaves Flowing Hair type to survive in Mint State. It is the third-finest B-1, BB-21 example listed by PCGS -- unseen at auction for 16 years.
Ex: Auction '84 (Stack's, 7/1984), lot 1180; The Orlando Sale (Stack's, 1/2009), lot 583.
From The Presidio Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24WZ, Variety PCGS# 39986, Base PCGS# 6853, Greysheet# 199065)

Weight: 26.96 grams

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper

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