How to Identify the Flowing Hair Half Dollar
The Flowing Hair Half Dollar (1794-1795) is one of the first U.S. half dollars, showing Liberty with loose, flowing hair and a small eagle reverse.
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What It Is
The Flowing Hair Half Dollar was struck only in 1794 and 1795, making it one of the earliest half dollar designs from the fledgling United States Mint. It shares its design theme with the Flowing Hair silver dollar of the same brief period.
Obverse Design
Liberty's head faces right with loose, unbound hair flowing behind her. "LIBERTY" arcs above, stars are arranged around the portrait (the exact count and spacing vary by die), and the date sits below.
Reverse Design
A small, delicate eagle perches on a rock within an open wreath, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arcing around the rim. The eagle is noticeably smaller and more thinly rendered than eagles seen on later coinage.
Size, Weight & Metal
Struck in approximately 89.2% silver with copper alloy, these coins weigh about 13.48 grams and measure roughly 32.5 mm across. Instead of reeding, the edge is lettered "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR" with decorative elements between words.
Mint Marks
There are no mint marks on this series; all Flowing Hair half dollars were struck exclusively at the original Philadelphia Mint, since no branch mints existed yet.
Telling It Apart from Similar Coins
Its lettered edge and small, primitive eagle reverse set it apart from every half dollar design that followed, since all subsequent 19th-century half dollars used the larger heraldic or perched eagle style. Compared to the Flowing Hair silver dollar, the half dollar is smaller in diameter and lighter in weight, though the obverse portrait style is similar.
Grading at a Glance
Because striking technology was primitive in the 1790s, look for weakness at the center of the design and uneven rims rather than assuming it indicates wear. Genuine wear shows first on Liberty's hair above her ear and on the eagle's breast; well-centered strikes with full, legible edge lettering are notably scarcer than off-center or weakly struck examples.
Authenticity Red Flags
This is an extremely rare and valuable early type, so replicas and altered coins are common in the marketplace. Check that the edge lettering is present, correctly spelled, and positioned as expected, since many counterfeits use incorrect letter spacing or a plain edge. Any example lacking the expected hand-struck imperfections of the era, or showing suspiciously uniform, modern-looking details, warrants serious scrutiny before assuming it is genuine.
Frequently asked questions
What years was the Flowing Hair Half Dollar minted?
Only in 1794 and 1795, making it one of the earliest U.S. half dollar designs.
Why does this coin have lettering on the edge instead of reeding?
Early U.S. Mint technology used lettered edges reading 'FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR' as a security and identification feature before reeding became standard.
Are there mint marks on this coin?
No, all examples were struck at the Philadelphia Mint since no branch mints existed in 1794-1795.
How rare is the Flowing Hair Half Dollar?
It's quite scarce, especially the 1794 date, and both years are considered key early American coins.