Our Rarities Night sale at the August 2014 Chicago/Rosemont ANA is full of great coins. Indeed, rarities abound, and to choose a single rarity is no easy task. For this week’s highlight we went back to the earliest days of the Mint and its first silver coinage design type, the Flowing Hair dollar made in 1794 and 1795. The beautiful Specimen-64 1795 Flowing Hair dollar offered in our sale made its first appearance in numismatic circles in 1964 in England with the sale of the Lord St. Oswald Collection by Christie, Manson & Woods. Reportedly, Sir Roland Winn visited the young Philadelphia Mint in October 1795 and returned to England with many coins that at the time were simply coin of the realm, but coins that would become great numismatic treasures two centuries later. Some of the coins then found their way into the Lord St. Oswald cabinet. In the ensuing 50 years since this rarity’s 1964 appearance, this early dollar changed hands just five times – the unbeatable combination of rarity and beauty makes it a “keeper” for those fortunate enough to become it temporary stewards. There are only four early dollars deemed “Specimen” by NGC — two 1795 Flowing Hair examples, and two 1795 Draped Bust examples. “The present beauty stands apart from the Mint State examples of the date currently known by virtue of its ‘special’ appearance and the obvious care with which the piece was struck” reads our catalog description. Bidding will no doubt chase this lot well into the six-figure range, and probably even higher, but that remains to be seen. One thing is certain now, however, and that is that many collectors and dealers alike will have an eye out for this treasure when it crosses the block. We invite you to join the bidding activity! View this and our entire Official Auction of the ANA World’s Fair of Money at the Browse Auction link at www.StacksBowers.com.
