1794 50C

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Pleasing VF 35 1794 Half Dollar

1794 50C VF 35 PCGS. O-105, R.5. Well struck for the issue with silver-gray and slate-gray patina. There are minor imperfections on both sides, with noticeable light, obverse adjustment marks and small flan flaws on the reverse at the ED of UNITED and the AM of AMERICA. This is an exceptional circulated example of the first year half dollar.
While the 1792 half disme must be considered the first circulating federal coinage of the United States made under the Mint Act of April 2, 1792, they were struck on a private press before the first Mint was built. The 1794 half dollar was the first circulating silver issue designed and produced at the new Mint by the designer, Robert Scot, and the Chief Coiner, Henry Voigt. The 1794 dollar was produced after the half dollars and the 1794 half dimes were struck in 1795.
It seems rather strange that no silver issues were produced in 1793, but under the Mint Act, the Chief Coiner and the Assayer were required to post a $10,000 surety bond to take office, and Henry Voigt and the Assayer, Albion Cox, could not post the bond and were only allowed to strike copper coins. On December 10, 1793 Thomas Jefferson wrote to President Washington asking that the bonds be reduced to a reasonable figure, and Washington persuaded Congress to comply.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 24E6, PCGS# 6051, GSID# 6118)

Metal: 89.24% Silver, 10.76% Copper
Weight: 13.48 grams
ASW: 0.38676oz
Mintage: 23,464

View Certification Details from PCGS