1st US dollar prototype auctioned for $840,000

• A piece of copper that was struck by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia in 1794, which was a prototype for the fledging nation’s money was auctioned off for $840,000.

• The officials stated that the price at which it was auctioned wase more than expected.

• Eric Bradley, Heritage auctions spokesperson stated that the “No Stars Flowing Hair Dollar” initially opened at $312,000 when it was put up on Friday evening but in less than a minute, intense bidding pushed the coin to its final auction price of $840,000.

• The former owner of the coin said that he expected the coin to be sold for $350,000 to $500,000.

• The coin resembles the silver dollars that were minted in Philadelphia. Starless coins are considered by collectors and institutions as “one-of-a-kind-prototypes for the silver examples that would follow”.

• The front of the coin features the flowing hair portrait of Liberty and the other side shows a small eagle on a rock within a wreath.