The 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar holds an esteemed place in numismatic history as the first dollar coin minted by the United States. Recently, the finest known specimen received a significant grading upgrade, further elevating its status as one of the most valuable coins in existence.
Recent Grading Upgrade
This particular 1794 dollar has long been recognized for its exceptional condition. Originally sold in 1995 at a Stack’s auction, it was described as a Gem Brilliant Uncirculated coin.
In 2010, the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) graded it MS66+, and it also received a Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC) sticker, confirming its superior quality.
Now, in 2025, CAC Grading has reassessed the coin and upgraded it to Mint State 67 (MS-67), officially recognizing it as the finest surviving example from the first year of U.S. dollar coinage.
With this prestigious new grading, the coin is now insured for $15 million and may make its first public appearance in 30 years.
Historical Provenance
This remarkable coin has an impressive ownership history, dating back over a century.
- In the 1920s, it was part of the collection of Col. E.H.R. Green, a legendary numismatist.
- By the mid-20th century, it belonged to Lelan Rogers, another well-known collector.
- In 1995, dealer Jay Parrino purchased the coin at Stack’s auction for $577,500.
- In 1996, Parrino and his partner Mike Phillips sold it to Chris Napolitano, who brokered the deal for an anonymous collector.
- Since 1996, the coin has been privately owned by a collector known under the set registry name “Stellar.”
Owner’s Perspective
The current owner has held the coin for nearly 30 years, maintaining its pristine condition.
Chris Napolitano, who facilitated the 1996 sale, expressed his excitement about the grading upgrade, stating:
“Since I first saw this coin at Stack’s in 1995, I felt it was one of the most important U.S. coins in existence.”
The new MS-67 grade validates what collectors have long believed—this is truly the finest known 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar.
Auction Description & Condition
The 1995 Stack’s auction description praised the coin’s stunning appearance:
“1794 Bolender 1. Gem Brilliant Uncirculated. 416.1 grains. A gorgeous toned satin gem coin. Both sides are toned a lovely, deep coin silver gray with iridescent champagne and palest iridescent blue around the rims.
The fields are fully lustrous and satiny, the frost virtually unmarred by signs of handling. One has to wonder how such a big and heavy coin could have survived for 200 years with such satiny surfaces intact.”
Timeline of the Coin’s Ownership & Valuation
| Year | Event | Grade | Price | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Stack’s Auction | Gem Brilliant Uncirculated | $577,500 | Jay Parrino |
| 1996 | Private Sale | – | – | Chris Napolitano’s client |
| 2010 | PCGS Grading | MS66+ | – | Anonymous (“Stellar”) |
| 2025 | CAC Grading Upgrade | MS-67 | Insured for $15M | Anonymous (“Stellar”) |
The Coin’s Future
With its new MS-67 grade and $15 million insurance valuation, this coin may finally make a public appearance in 2025, offering collectors and historians a rare opportunity to see America’s first dollar coin in its finest form.
FAQs
The anonymous collector known as “Stellar” has owned the coin privately since 1996.
There is a possibility that the coin will be displayed for the first time in 30 years in 2025, though no official details have been announced.
The 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar is currently insured for $15 million, reflecting its unparalleled condition and historical significance.