Flowing Hair Coins – An American Icon

President George Washington’s third State of the Union address in 1791 included a call for Congress to provide for a national mint. With the passage of the Coinage Act of 1792, the United States Mint was formed and the first coins from the mint would soon be released in the form of half dimes (1792), copper cents (1793), and the iconic Flowing Hair Silver Dollar. In 2024, the United States Mint celebrated the 230th anniversary of the Flowing Hair Coin with modern gold coins bearing the original 1794 designs.

About the Flowing Hair Silver Dollar

The Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was the first silver coin in American history. The Spanish dollar, the dominant form of trade currency in the Western Hemisphere in the late 18th century, inspired the size and weight of the original Flowing Hair Dollar. Though the Flowing Hair Silver Dollar had a total mintage of just over 160,000 coins between 1794 and 1795, it remains one of the most important coin designs in American history.

Flowing Hair Design

Designed by Robert Scot, the Flowing Hair Dollar featured an effigy of Lady Liberty previously created by Scot for the first copper cents issued by the US Mint. Scot’s original design included a Phrygian cap on the pennies that would be removed on the Flowing Hair Dollar. His finalized design showed Lady Liberty in right-profile relief with long, free-flowing hair. Her bust was surrounded by 15 stars, representing the 15 US states that had ratified the United States Constitution at that point, with the word LIBERTY overhead and a date mark below. The reverse of the coin featured an American bald eagle in front-facing relief with outstretched wings. The eagle is surrounded by a wreath.

Meet the Designer

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Robert Scot had moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1775 as the American Revolution was in its infancy. Prior to the establishment of the United States Mint, he created engraving plates for Virginia currency in 1775, a defiant Sic Semper Tyrannis currency for Virginia in 1776, and would design countless other forms of Virginia currency throughout the American Revolution.

Following the establishment of the US Mint, Robert Scot was commissioned as the first Chief Engraver of the United States Mint on November 23, 1793. He would go on to serve as the nation’s first Chief Engraver until his death in 1823. In addition to the Flowing Hair Dollar, his legacy includes designs such as the Liberty Cap Half Cent and the Draped Bust design that replaced the Flowing Hair Dollar.

A Celebration 230 Years in the Making

In 2024, the United States Mint honored the 230th anniversary of the Flowing Hair Dollar with commemorative gold bullion coins. The 2024 1 oz Proof American Gold 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair Coin is a brilliant, faithful replication of Robert Scot’s original design from 1794. These stunning coins were struck in high-relief by the US Mint, creating a deeper visual field on the coin with greater 3D enhancement for the design strike. The coins have proof visuals that include frosted designs set against mirrored background fields.

On the obverse of each coin, is Scot’s iconic right-profile effigy of Liberty with free-flowing hair. Her bust is surrounded by the same 15 stars used in the original design, with the word LIBERTY overhead while the 230th-anniversary date of 2024 is below.

The reverse of the coins comes with Scot’s original heraldic eagle emblem is featured. The American bald eagle is shown here with its wings extended to the sides as it is encircled by a wreath. the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircle the wreath. Notably, the coins include edge lettering that reads HUNDRED CENTS ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT.

The United States Mint issued only 17,500 of these 24-karat (.9999) pure gold coins. Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a Flowing Hair-themed box with a themed outer shipper and a Certificate of Authenticity included.

Flowing Hair Coins from JM Bullion

The modern Flowing Hair Coin from the United States Mint is a beautiful tribute to the nation’s first silver dollar. With a limited mintage, now is the time to add this beautiful coin to your collection. JM Bullion customer service can assist you at 800-276-6508, online using our web chat, and via our email address.