1795 50C Small Head Flowing Hair Half Dollar PCGS VF35 (CAC)

1795 50C Small Head Flowing Hair Half Dollar PCGS VF35 (CAC)
PCGS # 6054
Grading Service PCGS
Grade VF35
Mint Location Philadelphia
Year 1795
Designation
Strike Business
Grade Add On CAC
1795 50C Small Head Flowing Hair Half Dollar PCGS VF35 (CAC)
1795 50C Small Head
SKU: 56539833
1795 50C Small Head Flowing Hair Half Dollar — PCGS VF35 (Philadelphia)
A scarce and visually distinctive subtype within the short-lived Flowing Hair series, this certified 1795 Small Head Half Dollar represents early United States minting at its most historically compelling. The Small Head portrait, attributed to engraver John Smith Gardner, departs noticeably from the “normal” 1795 head: the curls are shorter, the bust truncation is flatter with an extra loop, and the overall effect is more statuary-like. Only three 1795 obverse dies qualify as Small Head (Overton O-39, O-40, O-41 using Obverse 15, 16, 17), and all marriages are scarce to rare—making this an important opportunity for advanced type and variety specialists alike.
Key features
Date/Type/Variety: 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar, Small Head subtype
Certification/Grade: PCGS VF35 — strong mid-grade detail with honest circulation and pleasing originality
Mint: Philadelphia
Rarity and census:
- PCGS Population: 3 in VF35 for the Small Head; only 5 graded higher
- As noted by PCGS (May 2011), just 49 Small Head examples had been certified across all grades, with no XF pieces in the Condition Census, only three AU, and a single MS62
Die variety context: Small Head obverses correspond to Overton O-39 through O-41; all are elusive
Historic mintage (all 1795 halves): 299,680
Design: Flowing Hair Liberty by Robert Scot; Small Eagle reverse
Specifications (1794–1795 standard): 13.48 g; 0.8924 fine silver; 32.5 mm; lettered edge “FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR”
Why collectors want it
Subtype scarcity: The Small Head is a recognized and coveted subtype within 1795, visually distinct from the standard portrait and collected both as a type and by die marriage.
Early federal rarity: Struck in only the second year of U.S. half dollar production, from hand-prepared dies, with the entire Flowing Hair design type spanning just 1794–1795.
Condition appeal: VF35 is a desirable “sweet spot” for early halves—showing well-balanced detail and originality at a far more approachable price point than AU–MS pieces that are virtually unobtainable for the Small Head.
Research pedigree: Cited in classic references by Hilt and Overton/Parsley, ensuring strong relevance for variety specialists and registry participants.
Collector notes
Ideal as a cornerstone for an early type set, an Overton variety collection, or as an upgrade for a Flowing Hair subtype run.
CAC: N/A
Pedigree: None noted
SEO keywords: 1795 Small Head Half Dollar, Flowing Hair 50C, PCGS VF35, Early U.S. Half Dollar, Philadelphia Mint, Overton O-39 O-40 O-41, John Smith Gardner, Robert Scot, Small Eagle, rare early American silver coin
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