The 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar (Buy on eBay) was the first year of issue for the denomination and series. A quantity of 5,300 pieces was delivered in October 1794, with an additional 18,164 pieces bearing the 1794 date delivered in February 1795. The total mintage of 23,464 makes the issue scarcer than the second date of the series by a wide margin.
Virtually the entire mintage would circulate extensively with very few pieces set aside. This results in a low survival rate estimated at 800 coins across all grades. Of this number, merely five examples are known to have survived in uncirculated grades. These prime examples generate considerable interest on the infrequent occasions when they come to market. The finest known example graded PCGS MS64 realized $763,750 when offered at auction in 2015.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: Robert Scot
- Composition: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
- Weight: 13.48 grams
- Diameter: 32.5 mm
- Edge: Lettered (“FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR”)
