William Herschel discovered NGC 5684 = H III-421 = h1844 on 1 May 1785 (sweep 405) and noted "vF, vS". JH made 4 observations and recorded on sweep 331 "pB; R. The preceding of 2 [with NGC 5686]."

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/21/93): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated E-W, 1.0'x0.8', gradually increases to a small bright core, only a small outer halo. Situated between two mag 14.5 stars 1.5' NW and 1.5' SE. Forms a pair with NGC 5686 3.5' SE. NGC 5695 lies 20' E. Located 15' SE of mag 6.0 SAO 64227.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb