A well preserved specimen is seldom found out of the cabinets of our oldest collectors. — Montroville W. Dickeson, 1859Another high grade and colorful example of this first date in the Flowing Hair series. Nearly brilliant centers radiate outward into concentric rings of amber-gold, violet-blue, and champagne. The cartwheel is excellent on both sides, and the entire coin has a lustrous, lively appearance. The usual thin die crack, as described by Logan and McCloskey, is present on the obverse, across the lowest tip of star 6, across the crown of Libertys head through the E of LIBERTY on a diagonal path to the rim. The reverse is likewise cracked, boldly from the eagles tail across the wreath through the upright of R in AMERICA, more delicately from the same point straight down through the right wreath end to the rim. The strike is above average, with some softness at the tips of Libertys tresses and the eagles breast feathers, which are present if not strongly defined. Some faint hairlines are seen with proper light, and a short linear flaw is present on Libertys cheek.Though all 1794 half dimes were struck in 1795, this remains the first date of issue of a denomination that survived until it was abolished by the Mint Act of 1873. With 1795 half dimes widely available and often poorly struck, the 1794 receives special attention from type collectors, particularly those who seek out detailed strikes or those who find first-year issues particularly appealing. This well-detailed half dime has splendid eye appeal and is one of the most attractive we have ever seen.