2024-S 25C Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, DCAM

1795 50C

1794 50C (Regular Strike)

Series: Flowing Hair Half Dollars 1794-1795

PCGS MS64+

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PCGS MS63

PCGS MS61

PCGS #:: 6051

Designer:: Robert Scot

Edge:: Lettered: FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR

Diameter:: 32.50 millimeters

Weight:: 13.48 grams

Mintage:: 23,464

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: 90% Silver, 10% Copper

Auction Record:: $252,000 • AU58+ • 11-08-2017 • Stack's Bowers

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1794 50C

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Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts' opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity By Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity By Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
All Grades	1,200	R-4.9	5 / 6	5 / 6
60 or Better	5	R-9.7	3 / 6	3 / 6
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 6	1 / 6

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,200
60 or Better	5
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.9
60 or Better	R-9.7
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	5 / 6
60 or Better	3 / 6
65 or Better	1 / 6

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	5 / 6
60 or Better	3 / 6
65 or Better	1 / 6

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS64 PCGS grade	F.C.C. Boyd Collection - Numismatic Gallery “World’s Greatest Collection” 4/1945:2, $210 - Jimmy Hayes Collection - Stack’s 10/1985:50, $55,000 - Stack’s 10/1989:693 - RARCOA, sold privately in 3/1993 - Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:1, $288,500 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack’s/Bowers & Sotheby’s 5/2015:1095, $763,750
2	MS63 estimated grade	Reed Hawn Collection - Stack’s 8/1973:1 - Queller Family Collection - Stack’s 10/2002:1, $195,500
3	MS62 estimated grade
4	MS61 PCGS grade	Richard B. Winsor Collection - S.H. & H. Chapman 12/1895:598 - John M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/7/1997:1660, $77,000 - Dale Friend Collection
4	MS61 PCGS grade	Stack's "Empire Collection" 11/1957:1264 - John R. Gregg, Jr. Collection - Stack's 1/2004:3303, $132,250 - American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:544, $195,500 - Simpson Collection
6	AU58+ PCGS grade	Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation - Bowers & Merena 8/2010:1004, $189,750
7	AU58 PCGS grade	Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1662, $66,000 - American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:547, $253,000
7	AU58 PCGS grade	George H. Earle, Jr. Collection - Henry Chapman 6/1912 - Clarke E. Gilhousen Collection - Superior 10/1973:863, $10,500 - Charles L. Ruby Collection - Superior 2/1975:649 - L.W. Hoffecker Collection - Superior 2/1987:3120, $12,100 - Worrell Collection - Superior 9/1993:1260 - Stack’s 3/2007:754, $172,500 - Heritage 8/2007:1675, $204,125 - Bowers & Merena 2/2008:600 - Bowers & Merena 8/2009:1238 - Bowers & Merena 8/2010:508, $175,000 - Dr. Charles Link Collection
7	AU58 PCGS grade	Dr. Hesselgesser - Goldbergs 2/2007:1423, $218,500
7	AU58 estimated grade	Overton 101. American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:544, $195,500

#1 MS64 PCGS grade

F.C.C. Boyd Collection - Numismatic Gallery “World’s Greatest Collection” 4/1945:2, $210 - Jimmy Hayes Collection - Stack’s 10/1985:50, $55,000 - Stack’s 10/1989:693 - RARCOA, sold privately in 3/1993 - Douglas L. Noblet Collection - Bowers & Merena 1/1999:1, $288,500 - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack’s/Bowers & Sotheby’s 5/2015:1095, $763,750

#2 MS63 estimated grade

Reed Hawn Collection - Stack’s 8/1973:1 - Queller Family Collection - Stack’s 10/2002:1, $195,500

#3 MS62 estimated grade

#4 MS61 PCGS grade

Richard B. Winsor Collection - S.H. & H. Chapman 12/1895:598 - John M. Clapp Collection - John H. Clapp Collection, sold intact in 1942 - Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/7/1997:1660, $77,000 - Dale Friend Collection

#4 MS61 PCGS grade

Stack's "Empire Collection" 11/1957:1264 - John R. Gregg, Jr. Collection - Stack's 1/2004:3303, $132,250 - American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:544, $195,500 - Simpson Collection

#6 AU58+ PCGS grade

Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation - Bowers & Merena 8/2010:1004, $189,750

#7 AU58 PCGS grade

Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 4/1997:1662, $66,000 - American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:547, $253,000

#7 AU58 PCGS grade

George H. Earle, Jr. Collection - Henry Chapman 6/1912 - Clarke E. Gilhousen Collection - Superior 10/1973:863, $10,500 - Charles L. Ruby Collection - Superior 2/1975:649 - L.W. Hoffecker Collection - Superior 2/1987:3120, $12,100 - Worrell Collection - Superior 9/1993:1260 - Stack’s 3/2007:754, $172,500 - Heritage 8/2007:1675, $204,125 - Bowers & Merena 2/2008:600 - Bowers & Merena 8/2009:1238 - Bowers & Merena 8/2010:508, $175,000 - Dr. Charles Link Collection

#7 AU58 PCGS grade

Dr. Hesselgesser - Goldbergs 2/2007:1423, $218,500

#7 AU58 estimated grade

Overton 101. American Numismatic Rarities 8/2006:544, $195,500

Ron Guth:

1794 was the first year for of the Half Dollar denomination (for some reason, no pattern Half Dollars were made in 1792 even though the Half Dollar was a part of the official, coinage scheme). The mintage reported for this inaugural year was only 23,464 pieces, which was less than a tenth of the following year. Because this was a high-denomination coin, few "man-on-the-street" types ever saw this coin, assuming they even knew it existed. Thus, very few ended being preserved for future generations.

Of the five Mint State 1794 Half Dollars, the star is the PCGS MS64 from the D. Brent Pogue Collection that sold for $763,750 in 2015. The next best example appears to be the Reed Hawn coin that last sold as part of the Queller Family Collection in 2002 for $195,500. That coin was called Choice Brilliant Uncirculated in 2002 and has not reappeared at auction since then.

Any 1794 half in XF or better is scarce. Most come damaged or in low grade. With only 3 coins in mint state and 3 in AU58 the mystique of this first year issue grows even stronger when you are holding a high grade example in your hands. There are 11 different varieties for the year. The first 7 aren't too difficult to find but the last 4 are either R7 or R8 and nearly impossible to locate. Rumor is that a large hoard of app. 200 exists on the West Coast.