Lot 1424
1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar. . Overton-101. PCGS graded VF-35. Nice original toning on both sides. Popular first year date. Berries 10 by 11 for a total count of 21; die break between D and S at upper left connects with a left just above a berry. The first year of the two-year Flowing Hair half dollar type. The relatively low mintage of the 1794 issue, combined with an extremely low survival rate, makes this a scarce date coveted by early half dollar collectors. Lovely natural gray surfaces with bold detail throughout, choice rims, and splendid "eye appeal" -- the defining factor!
As we've reported elsewhere, the popular "O-101" marriage is now thought to be one of the last varieties of the 1794 Half Dollar to be coined, despite Overton's order of listing, and is probably part of the 18,164 pieces delivered February 4, 1795 from 1794 dated dies. This die pairing features the 21 berry reverse (arranged 10 left and 11 right), the only such reverse of this desirable premier issue.
Die study has found this O-101 (which is the most affordable of all 1794 die marriages), obverse die was also used for O-102, while the reverse die was occurs on O-106, 107, and 108, each an important rarity.
The obverse die has minor clash marks near the dentils outside of stars 6, 7, and 8. The reverse, as mentioned, is lightly cracked between D and S, and through F. Only 23,464 struck. A total of 100 graded in all grades of VF with 20 finer. (PCGS # 6051) .
Estimated Value $22,000 - 28,000.
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| Realized $40,800 |
