Lot 1705
1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. NGC graded AU-55. Nicely toned Flowing Hair example. The familiar variety which has parallel curving die breaks on the obverse, one descending from the R in LIBERTY and the other from the T and crossing through the base of the Y. Wonderful rich shades of antique gray to purple-gray color with areas of dusky gold thrown into the mix. All of the color is original, uncleaned, refreshing in its attractiveness. The devices are well executed by the dies. It pays to remember that in the early days of the first Philadelphia Mint, the coining presses were all operated by hand. The pressman would swing a great, weighted boom handle and the screw mechanism would impart a sharp "squeeze" to the coin by the top and lower dies. Is it any wonder these varied from coin to coin, since the amount of strike pressure could vary enormously depending on the state of the dies, the health of the pressman, and whether or not he was inebriated. For yes, in those days, the mint had a daily beer ration for its workers! (PCGS # 6052) .
Estimated Value $13,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $16,675 |
