Flowing Hair Half Dollar

The Flowing Hair half dollar was the first half dollar issued by the United States Mint, struck only in 1794 and 1795. As one of the earliest American silver coins, it holds tremendous historical significance and is eagerly sought by collectors of early U.S. coinage and type sets.

Because of its brief two-year run, small original mintages, and the fragile survival of early Mint coinage, the Flowing Hair half dollar is scarce in all grades and rare in high condition, making it one of the more expensive type coins to acquire for a complete early American silver set.

Struck at the fledgling Philadelphia Mint, the Flowing Hair design was created by Robert Scot, the Mint's first Chief Engraver, and used across the half dime, half dollar, and silver dollar in 1794-1795. Early production was hampered by primitive equipment, weak strikes, and adjustment marks from hand-filing planchets to correct weight, common defects seen on surviving examples.

The design was replaced in 1796 by the Draped Bust motif, also by Scot, giving the Flowing Hair type an unusually short lifespan compared to most subsequent U.S. coin designs.

The obverse depicts Liberty's head facing right with hair flowing loosely behind her, surrounded by stars with the date below. The reverse shows a small, delicate eagle perched within a wreath, encircled by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

The coin was struck in silver at approximately .8924 fineness, with a lettered edge reading "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR." Minting standards were less uniform than later coinage due to the era's methods, and many surviving examples show adjustment marks (file marks) from the Mint's weight-correction process.

Because only two dates exist, 1794 and 1795, and no branch mints existed yet, identification mainly involves confirming genuineness and grade rather than distinguishing mint marks; buyers should be alert to the coin's small original mintage and the prevalence of counterfeits and cast reproductions of early American rarities.

Flowing Hair half dollars are rare and valuable even in heavily worn condition, reflecting their status as first-year, low-mintage early American silver. The 1794 date is significantly scarcer than 1795 and commands a substantial premium in any grade.

Values for even modestly circulated examples typically start in the low thousands of dollars, rising sharply for problem-free, higher-grade, or exceptional 1794 pieces, some of which have realized very large sums at auction. Because of their value, professional authentication and grading are strongly recommended before any transaction.