The United States Mint has published images of the 2024 Flowing Hair Silver Medal as part of the lead-up to its scheduled release on Oct. 15, coinciding with the 230th anniversary of the 1794 Flowing Hair dollar, the first U.S. dollar coin. This medal showcases the iconic designs originally created by Robert Scot, the U.S. Mint’s inaugural Chief Engraver.
The silver medal images reveal not only its designs but also those of the companion 230th Anniversary Flowing Hair Gold Coin, which is slated for release sometime this fall.
In late 2023, design renderings for the pair were presented to the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). The review panels offered differing final recommendations. The CFA favored alternatives addressing alignment concerns in the original 1794 designs, while the CCAC endorsed the originals. Ultimately, the originals prevailed, with the U.S. Mint describing the final designs as "true replicas of the original dollar, re-sculpted by Mint medallic artists." The re-sculpting is credited to Mint medallic artists John P. McGraw for the obverse and Eric David Custer for the reverse.
The obverse presents the original 1794 dollar, updated with the year "2024." Liberty’s portrait faces right, encircled by 15 stars representing the states that had ratified the Constitution by 1794. The reverse depicts a laurel wreath surrounding an eagle with spread wings, an early predecessor to the American heraldic eagle.
Priced at $104, the silver medal’s mintage has yet to be announced, but it will carry an initial household order limit of five. Struck in an uncirculated finish at the Philadelphia Mint, the medal features a composition of .999 fine silver, weighs 1.000 troy ounce, has a diameter of 1.598 inches (40.60 mm), and a plain edge.
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Similar to the 1794 silver dollar, the 24-karat 2024 Flowing Hair Gold Coin will have its denomination incused on the edge, reading: HUNDRED ★★ CENTS, ★★ ONE ★★ DOLLAR ★, and ★ OR ★★ UNIT ★★★.
The first 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollars were struck on Oct. 15, 1794, with the U.S. Mint producing just 1,758 of them that year.
