1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. O-106, T-4. Rarity-6-. EF-40 (NGC).A visually appealing example of the classic 1794 half dollar, the premier issue of this denomination struck in the fledgling United States Mint. Generally olive-gray surfaces reveal more vivid blue, lavender and orange-apricot undertones as the coin dips into a light. The strike is ideally centered within uniformly denticulated borders, all devices boldly defined and some of the more protected features quite sharp. Overall smooth in hand, close inspection reveals only a few wispy handling marks that are hardly worth mentioning. Tompkins Die Stage 1/1.The accepted mintage for this issue is just 23,464 pieces, the coins delivered in two batches: 5,300 pieces on December 1, 1794 and the remaining 18,164 coins on February 4, 1795. It is possible, however, that some of the coins delivered on February 4 were from 1795-dated dies, the mintage of 23,464 pieces for the 1794-dated issue only an estimate. Far scarcer than the second year 1795, the 1794 is the more eagerly sought Flowing Hair half dollar among advanced collectors, which is also due to its status as the first issue of this denomination in U.S. coinage history. Overton-101 is the most frequently encountered of the 11 known die marriages, the remainder scarce to rare in numismatic circles. O-106, offered here, is in the former category, and like most varieties of the date it is unknown in any Mint State grade.From The Des Moines Collection. Earlier from Heritages sale of the Terry Brand Estate, Part VI, January 2018, lot 4846.
