Lot 75
1793 Flowing Hair Half Cent. Del Bland graded VG-10. With the obverse sharper than the reverse where a few devices are worn nearly smooth. Slightly better but very lightly porous with a scratch at the top of tops of TE in STATES. Medium brown and quite nice for the grade.
All in all, a charming example of this first half cent design. The Philadelphia Mint had just opened and the necessary equipment was obtained by late 1793. Last but not least, the required bond was met for copper coinage, and soon the bond for silver coinage too, which began in 1794. Paying the large premium for the gold bond delayed coinage until 1795. Without the bond, which effectively was an insurance policy in case of theft by Mint employees, regular coinage could not have begun. One of the most historic and cherished issues of all half cents.
Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,250.
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| Realized $2,760 |
