The coin is a a U.S. silver dollar and the single coin is worth more than $10 million, making it the most expensive coin to have exchanged hands through private collectors in history. The “Amon Carter” Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was bought by a private collector in 2013.
As to what is so special about the coin, it was minted October 15, 1794 in Philadelphia. The ‘Flowing Hair’ Silver Dollar was the first dollar coin ever to be struck by the U.S. mint. The first coins to be minted were in 1793, and these were copper cents.
The coin was designed by Robert Scott. The coin in question was the first of 1,700 coins to be struck. These coins depict the figure of Liberty, adorned with flowing hair, surrounded by 15 stars (for what were then 15 states.) On the reverse is an eagle encircled by a wreath.
The coin was first sold sold in 1945 for $1,000. After changing hands a few times, on 24th January 2013 it was bought by billionaire Bruce Morelan, a U.S.-based business exec and lifelong coin collector, for $10,016,875, a world record price. It is so valuable because of its rarity, excellent condition and cultural value. In terms of its condition, the coin has been evaluated to be 66 on a scale of one to 70, which is considered to be mint condition.
The coin often carries the prefix “Amon Carter” because it was once owned by Carter, the creator and publisher of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram during the early twentieth century.
The coin is on display March 19 and 20, 2016 only at the La Galleria, a London gallery, under the guardianship of the London Mint Office. This brings to an end a “European tour” for the coin, with it having been exhibited at various galleries and museums in cities like Dublin and Stockholm.
