1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. O-106, T-30. Rarity-6. Two Leaves. VG-8 (PCGS). An otherwise silver gray example that exhibits olive-brown patina in the protected areas around the peripheries and many of the design elements. Lightly struck along the right obverse border, stars 11 to 13 are particularly faint, yet still discernible. Most other devices are well defined for the assigned grade, even in the area of the diagnostic reverse break. Traces of friction are visible across the high points on the reverse.<p>With all known examples of this variety exhibiting at least some portion of the aforementioned break, it is possible that this reverse die cracked during the hardening process. In any event the break occurred early and quickly reached a terminal state, causing Mint employees to retire this reverse after few coins were struck. This is one of the tougher die pairings of the 1795 half dollar varieties. Perhaps just 20 to 25 examples are known in all, and most have considerable surfaces problems like cleaning and damage. This example is certainly among the most desirable of the extant pieces.
