Diagnostic Controls & Presets First U.S. Silver Dollar
Diagnostic Forensic Readings
Forensic Attribution Diagnostic
Real-time metallurgical and die variety cross-examination verified against certified populations.
Technical Breakdown: Physics, Metallurgy & Die Diagnostics
Struck under Chief Coiner Henry Voigt. Light planchets had a small 8-grain silver plug inserted into the center before striking to meet the legal weight.
Struck on a single day (October 15, 1794) on a hand-turned screw press not intended for coins this large.
Documented Benchmark Auction Records
The first coin to ever cross the $10 million threshold, widely regarded as the first silver dollar ever struck by the US Mint.
Evenly toned mid-grade survivor with distinct 15 stars and visible mint adjustment marks on reverse wreath.
Pewter base replica with seam along edge and missing incuse edge lettering 'HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar so historic?
The 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar is the first silver dollar struck by the federal government of the United States. Designed by Robert Scot and struck on October 15, 1794 in Philadelphia, it established the dollar unit authorized by Alexander Hamilton and the Coinage Act of 1792.
How many 1794 silver dollars were minted, and how many survive?
Only 1,758 coins were officially delivered by Chief Coiner Henry Voigt because the Mint's screw press was underpowered and broke down. Today, numismatic historians estimate that only about 135 to 140 specimens survive in any condition.
What is the famous 'Silver Plug' found on some 1794 dollars?
Before striking, Mint assayers weighed every individual silver blank. If a blank was slightly underweight, mint workers drilled a small hole in the center and inserted a tiny silver plug (approx. 8 grains) to bring the planchet up to legal weight. The striking process fused the plug seamlessly into the design.
Why are so many 1794 dollars weakly struck on the left side?
The hand-operated screw press used in 1794 was designed for smaller copper cents and half dollars. It could not exert even pressure across the broad 39.5mm dollar flan, causing die deflection that left the left stars and the word 'LIBERTY' weakly defined on almost all surviving coins.
What is written on the edge of a genuine 1794 Flowing Hair dollar?
The edge is lettered using a Castaing machine: 'HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT' with small decorative stars between the words. A coin with a reeded or plain edge is an immediate counterfeit.
What are 'Adjustment Marks' on early American silver coins?
Adjustment marks are parallel file scratches made by Mint workers with a hand rasp before the coin was struck to shave away excess silver from an overweight planchet. Because they occurred before the strike, the design details are impressed over the scratches.
How much is a 1794 Flowing Hair Dollar worth today?
In low, heavily worn grades (About Good to Good), a genuine certified specimen is worth $100,000 to $150,000. In Very Fine to Extremely Fine, values rise to $300,000-$700,000. High-grade uncirculated examples exceed $3 million, with the finest known MS-66+ specimen selling for over $10 million.