Early Half Dimes
1794 H10C V-1, LM-1, R.6, MS61 NGC. According to Mint records, only 7,756 Flowing Hair half dimes were struck in 1794, the first year of regular-issue silver coinage at the Philadelphia Mint. Four die varieties are known for the date. This coin represents the rarest of the four varieties, LM-1, identified by the position of the R in LIBERTY mostly over Liberty's hair and the two inner berries under the eagle's left (facing) wing on the reverse. This was the only use of the obverse die, but the reverse was used again to strike the LM-2 variety of this date.
The present coin is an impressive MS61 specimen with sharply detailed design elements throughout. From a late state of the dies, an extensive network of die breaks is evident on the obverse. The lavender-gray surfaces are lightly marked for the grade and the overall presentation is quite attractive.
HID02901242017