Friday 24th May 2013

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Flowing Hair
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Flowing Hair Half Dollar 1794 - 1795

True to the congressional mandate (a design "emblematical of Liberty") Chief Engraver Robert Scot depicted "Liberty" as a young woman with freely flowing hair, hence, we get the name "Flowing Hair" (the flowing hair is symbolic of freedom). Also on the front of the Half Dollar, is the word "LIBERTY" at twelve o'clock and the date at six o'clock. The date and "LIBERTY" are separated by fifteen stars, emblematic of the fifteen states at that time.

Vital Stats.

Designer: Robert Scot
Content: 89.2% silver 10.8% copper
Diameter: 32.5 millimeters
Weight: 13.5 grams
Edge: Lettered - FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR, ornaments between words vary
Mint Mark Location: None (all were made in Philadelphia)
I View Grading

Flowing Hair Mintage

Year/
Mint Mark		Circulation
Strikes
179423,464
1795299,680
 1795 Half Dollar Coin Flowing Hair Obverse 1795 Half Dollar Coin Flowing Hair Type Reverse

The coin's reverse depicts a small, spread-winged eagle perched upon a rock and surrounded by laurel branches, and encircling the laurel branches is the motto "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". The half dollar's edge bears the inscription "FIFTY CENTS" OR "HALF A DOLLAR", with decorations between the words.

After completing the first production run of Flowing Hair half dollars, the Mints rolling equipment broke down. Repairs took several weeks, and as 1794 drew to a close the Mint still had at least six obverse dies on hand with the 1794 date. Rather than scrap the dies, it continued making 1794 half dollars in 1795. When all the 1794 dies became unusable the Mint started using dies dated 1795.

Some 1795 half dollars have a recut date, but these are fairly common.

Some 1795 pieces have three leaves under each of the eagle's wings, instead of the normal two, and these are scarce.

No proofs are known for this series, which is widely collected by type.

In 1796 the Mint replaced the "Flowing Hair" obverse with the "Draped Bust" portrait of Liberty. The Flowing Hair version lasted only two-years.

NOTE:

There are 10 Overton varieties for the 1794 date and a total of 32 varieties for the 1795. 		Need One?
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