1795 50C Flowing Hair Half Dollar, O-109 PCGS VG08 R4

This piece is from the Heritage Auction of May 30, 2003, lot #6137, where it was described as "1795 50C VG8 PCGS. O-109, Rarity-4. 9-8 berry arrangement. Medium to light gray with a portion of the obverse denticles worn smooth. Some of the central details are as visible as the Overton plate coin." This specimen brought $1,783 when others were realizing $800-$900 at the same time.

It was in 1794 that a journalist first saw the then new Flowing Hair design upon a dollar and wrote a brief report on it. "Some of the dollars now coining at the Mint of the United States have found their way to this town. A correspondent put one into the editor's hand yesterday." He described the design elements found on both sides, as well as upon the edge. He concludes, "The tout ensemble has a pleasing effect to a connoisseur; but the touches of the graver are too delicate, and there is a want of that boldness of execution which is necessary to durability and currency." Writes numismatic art historian Cornelius Vermeule, "This criticism of device, style, and execution is one of the earliest surviving impressions of the first monumental coin of the United States." He discusses the Flowing Hair design of Robert Scot: "The young face and the youthful, flowing hair were admired symbols of the young republic." He also discusses the "goose-necked, tubular eagle within a wreath."