Setting the record straight on the finest known 1795 Overton 120 Flowing Hair Half Dollar

BillJones

This is a recent purchase. I spotted this piece at the 2022 Summer FUN show. The price was high, but I really liked it.

I have had very hard time capturing the way this piece looks in person. Here are photos of it from the dealer and from Heritage who sold it in 2015.

The dealer photos. This is the general look of the coin, but the luster is missing.

Here are the Heritage photos.

There are less than 20 known examples of this Overton variety. Heritage sold this piece in 2015 when it was in an NGC MS-62 holder. Subsequently it was cracked out and sent to PCGS where it got an AU-58.

The condition census on this variety is, this coin, an AU-58, an EF sharpness piece that is in a "cleaned" holder, two VF-30 pieces and VF-20. I bought this for the type, which means some Overton collectors might view it as "wasted on me." Nevertheless, I know what it is and would like to set the record straight for those who maintain information about condition census coins.

Here are my poor efforts to photograph this coin.

pcgscacgold

Thanks for sharing @BillJones
You have an outstanding collection of American History. Always interesting to see examples of how the two grading companies see things differently. Enjoy the piece.

Floridafacelifter

Congratulations that’s a beautiful example- I really like those early halves- I have a 1794 O-105 I bought for my type set as well, similarly not for variety purposes.

BillJones

I have a nice EF-45 that I bought for type, but under the bright lights, this one really has outstanding eye appeal. It has better eye appeal that many of the low end Mint State pieces which often have distracting spots or some other issue.

Here's my "back up" piece.

kaz

A beautiful example and the backup ain't no slouch either!

johnny9434

There's nothing wrong with that. Wtg on a nice pickup

pursuitofliberty

Gorgeous looking example Bill!

Love the under-grade "back-up" piece too!!

lilolme

Nice one. Good job finding and getting that upgrade.

GoBust

Congratulations on obtaining such an amazing high grade rarity that stands heads and shoulders above any other examples. In guessing the current value is very strong on such an important coin with amazing obverse hair detail and reverse breat feather detail. It's quite a strong example for type and with an R6 site marriage rarity added, simply WOW!

ricko

@BillJones .... Those are great coins. I am not versed on Overton numbers, but really appreciate quality coins from this period in American history. Cheers, RickO

1630Boston

Very nice

lkenefic

Beautiful... and inspiring!

Nysoto

That is a great flowing hair type coin as it is well struck throughout, a lot of these have striking weakness.

Some interesting pricing on an example of the 1795 O-120 I purchased last year. There are around 17 known and about half are details coins with issues. The lone graded VG showed up at auction, PCGS has it valued at $7500 and type at $2150. It realized $2040, apparently I was the only variety bidder (my high bid was over 2x the PR), which is very unusual.

lkeigwin

Holy cow...that is just splendid, Bill! Congrats on owning the finest O.120, and by a landslide.

I'm sure these HA images of the coin when it was in an NGC holder do not do it justice. But this bust half deserves all the ink it can get.
Lance.

BillJones

@Nysoto said:
That is a great flowing hair type coin as it is well struck throughout, a lot of these have striking weakness.

Some interesting pricing on an example of the 1795 O-120 I purchased last year. There are around 17 known and about half are details coins with issues. The lone graded VG showed up at auction, PCGS has it valued at $7500 and type at $2150. It realized $2040, apparently I was the only variety bidder (my high bid was over 2x the PR), which is very unusual.

I have noticed the same issues with some varieties of the 1795 Flowing Hair Dollars. This piece, from my collection, is graded EF-40. It is really an EF-45 from the technical aspect because there is luster within the protected parts within the stars and letters. Yet the detail in the hair and the eagle suggest even a lower grade than EF-40.

This piece is a no questions asked Choice Mint State piece. Yet the details, which are as struck are not perfectly sharp. When you add a little wear, the sharpness grade goes down rather quickly.

carabonnair

Congratulations on a really nice purchase! It is surprising how few people collect these by die variety - in the long run I think it makes sense to get the added rarity if you can.

carabonnair

@Nysoto said:
That is a great flowing hair type coin as it is well struck throughout, a lot of these have striking weakness.

Some interesting pricing on an example of the 1795 O-120 I purchased last year. There are around 17 known and about half are details coins with issues. The lone graded VG showed up at auction, PCGS has it valued at $7500 and type at $2150. It realized $2040, apparently I was the only variety bidder (my high bid was over 2x the PR), which is very unusual.

I saw that one, but didn't bid because I already had two examples!

The reverse of this die marriage was the workhorse of the Flowing Hair type, but the obverse was short-lived, due to the break from the rim through the 7 and then further into the die.

Catbert

Am excited for you Bill knowing the satisfaction that come from landing the prize. Thank you for sharing the news and the details about its rarity and the context therein.