1795 50C 2 Leaves, O-117, T-3, R.4, MS65+ PCGS. CAC....

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1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar, MS65+
The Finest Known O-117

1795 50C 2 Leaves, O-117, T-3, R.4, MS65+ PCGS. CAC. Ex: Simpson Collection. Tompkins Die State 2/1, showing clash marks below the chin and above the head. There is no trace of the late state crack from the border to the bust just right of the 5. The obverse die appears only in the O-117 marriage, while the reverse die was previously used for the 1794-dated O-102. Those 1794 O-102 half dollars were among the first silver coins issued by the U.S. Mint and were struck between October 15, 1794 (the first delivery of 5,300 half dollars) and February 4, 1795 (the second delivery of 18,164 half dollars). All of the 1795-dated half dollars followed throughout the remainder of the year with production approaching 300,000 coins. There are 11 die varieties known for 1794, and 31 die pairs identified for 1795.

The finest examples of the O-117 half dollar include this piece that is clearly the finest, followed by an MS63 NGC example, and one or two pieces at lower Mint State levels. All of the others are from the O-117a die state. The second finest early die state piece grades AU55. PCGS has certified only two 1795 half dollars as MS65 with none finer. Those two coins include the present piece and an example of the Recut Date O-112. Those certification events represent the finest 1795 half dollars that PCGS has examined (1/21). NGC has certified three 1795 half dollars as MS65, with none finer.

This lovely coin has full and brilliant mint luster with delicate blue, violet and gold toning the is nicely matched between the obverse and the reverse. While the eagle's breast lacks full detail due to trivial adjustment marks in that area, the strike is bold and nicely centered on the planchet. The stars on the obverse and the leaves on the reverse show excellent detail when compared to most other high grade Flowing Hair half dollars. Although a few extremely faint hairlines and contact marks may be seen with careful examination, the surfaces are virtually flawless. This amazing Gem will be the centerpiece of an advanced collection of early half dollars.
Ex: Norman Stack Type Set; Lawrence R. Stack Type Set; D. Brent Pogue Collection (Sotheby's and Stack's Bowers, 5/2015), lot 1096.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24E7, Variety PCGS# 39233, Base PCGS# 6052, Greysheet# 194060)

Weight: 13.48 grams

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper

View all of [Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part IV ]

View Certification Details from PCGS