1794-1795 Flowing Hair (Series 48)
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Designed by: Robert Scot
Issue dates: 1794-1795
Composition: 0.8924 part silver, 0.1076 part copper
Diameter: 39 to 40 mm
Weight: 416 grains
Edge: Lettered HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT
Business strike mintage: 162,053
Proof mintage: None
The Flowing Hair Design
The Flowing Hair silver dollar design of 1794-1795 is similar to that used on contemporary half dimes and half dollars. The obverse depicts the small head of Miss Liberty facing right, with flowing hair. LIBERTY is above, and the date is below. Eight stars are to the left and seven are to the right.
The reverse depicts an open wreath enclosing a "small" eagle perched on a cloud. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. The border of this and other early dollars is composed of denticles.
Interpretations of mintage records by Walter H. Breen (primarily) and others indicate that 1,758 silver dollars were produced in 1794 and 160,295 Flowing Hair dollars in 1795. However, it is the case with all dates of early dollars, the mintages are probably somewhat different from those listed in Mint reports, as it was the custom to use older-dated, but still serviceable dies until they broke.
Numismatic Notes (1794)
The 1794 dollar is a major rarity in all grades. The type set collector will probably elect to acquire a Flowing Hair example dated 1795. Thus, the main market for 1794-dated dollars is with dollar specialists.
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