If you have this old silver dollar, you have a fortune: there are only about 200 coins left and they may be worth $15,000,000
The first dollar coin ever minted in the United States, called the ‘Flowing Hair’ dollar made of silver is highly prized by collectors, fetching millions.
Congress passed the Coinage Act in April 1792 establishing the first national mint of the newborn United States of America in Philadelphia. A year later, the Mint delivered its first coins for circulation, over 11,000 copper pennies.
It wouldn’t be until October 15, 1794 that the Mint delivered what the Constitution specified would be the “cornerstone of the US monetary system,” the dollar made of silver. However, the first 1,758 silver dollars minted by the United States, while valid currency, were not intended for circulation among the general public.
Instead, there handed over to then Mint Director David Rittenhouse for distribution to dignitaries as souvenirs according to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
If you have this old silver dollar, you may have a fortune:
While the visiting VIPs from other nations, US lawmakers and other important American citizens who received those the 1794 ‘Flowing Hair’ silver dollars “were not impressed by what they saw” at the time, the few remaining specimens of that coin are highly prized by collectors nowadays.
They can fetch millions of dollars at auction from those trying to get their hands on one. Not least because they are considered a national treasure for their historical significance, but also due to the fact that so few exist. Nowadays there are between 150-200 of the 1794 ‘Flowing Hair’ silver dollars left according to Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS). Others think there may be even fewer.
In 2013, one sold for $10 million at auction, setting a world record at the time for the most ever paid for a rare coin. The person who bought it, put it up for sale again in 2020, even though it is “a dream coin” and “a priceless artifact” which he had been proud to own. “I’m very sorry to see it go,” he told CNN.
Today, that coin could be worth even more. PCGS lists their price guide for that particular specimen at $15 million.