Lot 692
1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. . O-104. PCGS graded EF-40. One of the finest examples known, behind the NGC Mint State-61 example sold by Stack's in October of 1997, and another pair of EF-45 examples sold in 1998 and 1996. This particular coin has outstanding even silvery-gray color, with hints of luster near the devices. Liberty's hair detail is strong, the curls show excellent separation throughout. Further, this one is quite problem-free, the obverse has only one tiny mark before her neck, which requires magnification to see, no rim bumps or bruises, and light antique gold around the periphery. On the reverse, we note minor adjustment marks most visible around the eagle's tail, and a planchet flaw located between the right wing and tail feathers. Planchet flaws are not unusual on early coinage, as the Mint's rolling equipment was primitive, and exacting standards were hard to achieve. Frequently, planchet flaws or heavy planchets were produced, and many silver and gold coins of the period had to be filed a bit to bring the planchet weight down to the proper level before the coin was struck. This coin is probably in the middle of the Condition Census of half a dozen coins, and a beautiful example it is of this die pairing.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
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| Realized $4,140 |
