In the firm’s third collaboration with the United States Mint, Stack’s Bowers Galleries has again made numismatic history with their sale of the Historic 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair High Relief Gold Coins featuring the "230" Privy Mark. The entire mintage of 230 pieces was consigned to the December 12, 2024 sale, and after several hours of intense bidding action, the prices realized totaled $8,230,000.
The coins were struck to commemorate the 230th anniversary of America’s first silver dollar – the 1794 Flowing Hair dollar. The modern pieces serve as a faithful homage to the original dollar, featuring obverse and reverse designs re-sculpted by Mint medallic artists and exquisitely rendered on a 1-ounce planchet of .9999 fine gold. Produced at the United States Mint facility in West Point, these special Privy Mark gold coins were identified and sold in order of their striking, 1 to 230, and the Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction offered collectors their only means to acquire one of these iconic pieces.
"It is an incredible honor for Stack’s Bowers Galleries to work with the United States Mint once again on such a historic project," said Brian Kendrella, President of Stack’s Bowers Galleries. "The 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair High Relief Gold Coins embody the timeless appeal of American numismatics, celebrating both the artistry of the original 1794 design and the craftsmanship of these modern masterpieces. Collectors’ enthusiastic response to this sale, culminating in an astonishing $8.23 million total, highlights the enduring reverence for these iconic designs. We are immensely proud of the role we played in connecting passionate collectors with these extraordinary coins and in celebrating this important milestone in U.S. Mint history."
Stack’s Bowers Galleries has served as auctioneer for the United States Mint twice before. In July 2002 (in conjunction with Sotheby’s), the firm sold the only example of the 1933 double eagle that is legal for private ownership, which at the time set a record for most valuable coin ever sold in auction, realizing $7.59 million. More recently, Stack’s Bowers Galleries was selected to sell the special 35th Anniversary American Eagle at Dusk and at Dawn coins in September 2022, which realized more than $4.6 million.
"We are thrilled to commemorate the 230th anniversary of the 1794 Flowing Hair dollar with these exceptional gold coins," said Ventris Gibson, Director of the United States Mint. "This modern homage honors one of our nation’s most iconic designs, blending historic artistry with the Mint’s cutting-edge craftsmanship. We are proud to have collaborated with Stack’s Bowers Galleries to bring these remarkable coins to collectors, whose passion and enthusiasm for numismatics continues to inspire our work. The outstanding success of this sale is a testament to the enduring legacy of America’s coinage and its place in our shared history."
For a complete list of prices realized for the December 12, 2024, Auction of Historic 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair High Relief Privy Mark Gold Coins visit StacksBowers.com. To consign to a Stack’s Bowers Galleries auction call 800-458-4646 or email Consign@StacksBowers.com.
About Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, internet and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and world coins and currency and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company’s 90+ year legacy includes the cataloging and sale of many of the most valuable United States coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block – The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Joel R. Anderson Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection, The Sydney F. Martin Collection and The Battle Born Collection – to name just a few.
World coin and currency collections include The Pinnacle Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Salton Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection, the Augustana Collection of gold rarities from across western Europe, the Richard Margolis Collection of world coins and medals and The Thos. H. Law Collection. Recently the firm was awarded the privilege of bringing the most valuable world coin collection to auction – the L. E. Bruun Collection.
The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, with galleries in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Offices are also located in New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Sacramento, South Carolina, Virginia, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Paris and Vancouver. Stack’s Bowers Galleries hosts an annual Global Showcase in August featuring United States coins and currency, Ancient coins and World coins and currency in its Costa Mesa auction gallery. They are also the Official Auctioneer for several important numismatic events, including the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Expos, the Spring and Fall Hong Kong shows, and the Maastricht Paper Money shows.
