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Sale 39
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Lot 1423
1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. . O-101. PCGS graded AU-58. Nice original light even toning. Sharply struck with only a few faint planchet adjustment marks on the obverse. The sought-after first year of the flowing hair half dollar type an in truly magnificent state of preservation. On the opening day of December 1794, Chief coiner Henry Voigt delivered 5,300 half dollars, followed by 18,164 more on February 4, 1795 (from 1794-dated dies). These comprised two separate die varieties. A low mintage even by contemporary standards, this is combined with a low survival rate for the 1794 coins, making this a scarce date, and one prized by specialized half dollar collectors. The O-101 die pairing has 21 berry reverse (split 10 left and 11 right), the only reverse with this arrangement.
While collectors refer to O-101 as "the most plentiful of all 1794 die marriages," that hardly fits the picture of high-end examples like this. A very remarkable specimen! Encased in PCGS holder 10945262. Pop 1: The only Overton 101 graded at PCGS.
1794 is noted from the so-called "Whiskey Rebellion" in western Pennsylvania and other inland regions of the new country. The frontier farmers objected to a tax on whiskey when whiskey itself was their medium of exchange. Silver half dollars like this 1794 rarely turned up in the interior. And the cost of sending grain to eastern markets was more than the grain would bring, so the farmers converted it to whiskey which could be easily stored, transported, and traded. Tax collectors were tarred and feathered or met with shotguns when they tried to collect the tax. One farmer and his neighbor welcomed excise officers with generous servings of Jamaica ginger laced with whiskey. The genial hosts remained hospitable until the officers passed out, then slipped off and hid the still. President Washington ordered Federal troops to put down the "acts" that he said amounted to treason. With General "Light-Horse Harry" Lee in command, the army restored order. Some of the leaders were arrested and taken to Philadelphia for trial. Only 2 were ever convicted, and they were pardoned by the President. The new Government boasted that it could enforce laws enacted by Congress. Well, sort of.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 125,000.
Ex Dr. Hesselgesser.
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| Realized $218,500 |
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