1794 $1 MS(PCGS#6851)

November 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auktionator

Stack's Bowers

Losnummer

2099

Erhaltungsgrad

F15

Preis

180.000

Losbeschreibung

BB Die State III. An instantly recognizable example of this classic silver dollar rarity, this is the Cornelius Vermeule specimen, identifiable by a lengthy, yet thin obverse strike through (as made) that crosses Liberty's neck and continues into the field below the chin. The culprit appears to have been a thin piece of wire that came between the obverse die and planchet at the time of striking. Both sides are a tad glossy in texture, suggestive of old numismatic handling, but have long since retoned naturally and pleasingly in a blend of silver and golden-gray. There are, additionally, no sizeable or otherwise noteworthy marks. The lower left obverse periphery is softly defined, as often seen for the issue and due to the dies having become misaligned in a press that was initially intended for smaller-size coins anyhow. Stars 1 to 3 are missing, 4 and 5 faint, and of the date all that can be (barely) discerned are the tops of the digits 179 and part of the 4. The reverse is similarly soft in the opposing area with only portions of a few letters in STATES discernible. BB Die State III with clash marks on both sides and the third hair curl shallow.<p>As related in our (Stack's) cataloging for the September 2001 Cornelius Vermeule III Collection sale:<p><em>This coin has a special and warm story connected with it. One afternoon, toward the end of the turbulent 1960's, when Cornelius Vermeule was readying his landmark study </em>Numismatic Art in America<em> for publication, he came into Stack's to talk to Norman Stack about design types on U.S. coins. In the course of the conversation, Mr. Vermeule asked Norman if he had a 1794 Dollar in stock, because he had always wanted an example of our first Silver Dollar. Norman replied that he didn't have one just then but felt he could obtain one quickly. The two then finished their discussion about coin designs and later that day Mr. Vermeule returned to his home in Boston. One his arrival, he found a message waiting for him from Norman announcing that he had found a specimen of the 1794 Dollar, which was Mr. Vermeule's if he wanted it. That very coin is the one we are pleased to present here for your bidding pleasure.</em><p>Despite having seen a moderate amount of handling in earlier years, the Vermeule specimen has come down to the present day with considerable eye appeal in a circulated 1794 dollar. That is survived at all is perhaps even more significant, for there are not many more than 150 or so of these extant - far too small a number to meet the strong numismatic demand for this historic first year silver dollar issue from the fledgling United States Mint. This celebrated piece will certainly have no difficulty finding its way into another advanced cabinet, where it will be a treasured highlight for years to come.