1795 Flowing Hair
Half Dollar - The 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar was
the second year of the design's use and the
second year of issue. It had a mintage of 299,680,
more than ten times the first year. There are 3 major
varieties for the year: the Normal Date, the Recut
Date, and the 3 Leaves Under Each Wing variety. The
scarcest is the 3 Leaves variety. Considering the
size of the mintage, there are relatively few that
have been certified. NGC has 982 in total for the
date, and PCGS has 1,385. These numbers do not account
for resubmissions or crossovers.
The mintage of the
Flowing Hair half dollar is the highest of all Flowing
Hair silver coins. The dollar of 1795 has a mintage
of 203,000, slightly less than the half dollar. However,
there is greater collector demand for the dollar than
the half. People tend to like the bigger silver coins.
Therefore, the 1795 half dollar is the most easily
available and least expensive Flowing Hair type coin.
The 3 Leaves variety is less available than the Normal
Date. The Recut Date is only slightly less available
than the Normal Date coin.
Grades of this date
are often seen in Very Good to Fine. Extremely Fine
and higher coins are scarce and rare. They often have
adjustment marks on one side or the other. These file
marks were made to make sure that the coin conformed
to the weight standard required. It is not know why
they were not filed on their edge to make the adjustment.
Perhaps it was felt that the public would be less
likely to accept an edge filed coin thinking that
the adjustment occurred outside the Mint. These adjustment
marks, especially if they are light, do not adversely
affect the coin’s value. The grading services
tend to ignore them. Grades can also be affected by
the way the coin was struck. Often portions are lightly
struck with design elements missing. Unless it is
sever, this weakness usually does not affect the grade.
Specifications: Designer: Robert Scot Weight: 13.48 grams Composition: .8924 silver, .1076
copper Diameter: approximately 32.5 mm Edge: FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR
with decorations between
