1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. O-108, T-6. Rarity-7. Fine Details--Plugged (PCGS). This highly significant coin is new to the census for the rare 1794 Overton-108 die pairing. In terms of remaining detail it qualifies for the low end of Condition Census, as nearly half of the known examples are VG Details or lower. There is actually quite a bit of definition on both sides of this piece, the borders fully and evenly denticulated, all major design elements boldly outlined, and the recesses of Libertys hair and the eagles wing retaining considerable sharpness. Libertys eye, nose and mouth are all distinct as well. The surfaces are glossy from an old, light cleaning, there are several prominent scratches on the obverse over and before Libertys portrait, and concentrations of lighter scratches on the reverse around the eagle. The PCGS qualifier concerns a crudely plugged, yet small hole between 3 and 4 oclock at the obverse border; it is also visible in the opposing area on the reverse. The eye appeal benefits not only from the aforementioned boldness of detail, but also vivid and attractive retoning of halos of cobalt blue and reddish-rose iridescence around the peripheries. Tompkins Die Stage 2/1.<p>The 1794 Overton-108 variety is rare, which can almost certainly be laid at the feet of the early and terminal break suffered by the obverse die. The crack is readily evident on the present example, and it begins at the border between star 15 and the date, crosses stars 15, 14 and 13, and terminates the border outside star 13. The reverse die proved to be more durable and was also used in the 1794 O-101, 106 and 107 pairings. Both Steve M. Tompkins (2015) and Stephen J. Herrman (Spring 2021) account for only eight or nine examples, just one of which is the early die state (Tompkins 1/1) without the prominent obverse die crack. That coin is the Hilt-Link CC#1 specimen. The coin offered here is a newcomer to the modern census and brings the estimate of examples known up to nine or 10 pieces. The Overton plate coin, rank #7 in both the Tompkins and Herrman census listings, realized $6,000 as lot 7008 in our November 2019 Baltimore sale of the E. Horatio Morgan Collection. That coin was certified Good-4 by PCGS. The present example, with far more detail remaining, is worthy of stronger bids even despite the impairments. A rare and significant opportunity for advanced early half dollar variety enthusiasts that is sure to attract spirited bidding. From the Collection of Silas Stanley Roberts, 1888-1966.
