Which 1795 Flowing Hair Half would you prefer

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lkenefic
lkenefic Posts: 9,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited July 15, 2026 2:42PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Which 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar would you prefer as your Type Piece for a Box of 20... and why?

Coin A

Coin B

Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.

Which 1795 Flowing Hair Half would you prefer

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Comments

  • braddick
    braddick Posts: 25,189 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Coin "A" for a variety of reasons. Mostly, I like it more than the other one.

  • marcmoish
    marcmoish Posts: 6,938 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Coin A, has a real nice circ look versus B that looks off to me besides being dark.

  • CoffeeTime
    CoffeeTime Posts: 142 ✭✭✭
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    Coin A. Granted B could be graded higher, but in the photos, A looks better

  • Coin Finder
    Coin Finder Posts: 7,805 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Coin B, I like the more original look of it...

    The court jester does not play, but gently pulls the strings…

  • MFeld
    MFeld Posts: 17,140 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It might just be the images, but much of the surfaces of coin A appear cloudy to me. And there looks to be a large reverse scratch across the legs of the eagle (extending to the left to a leaf on the wreath?). For those reasons, I’ll go with coin B.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,058 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    the 2 reverses are struck from different dies?

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • fathom
    fathom Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 12, 2026 7:59PM
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    B

    18th century US coins are much scarcer when they look like they were plucked right from circulation in the early 19th century.

  • CoinPhysicist
    CoinPhysicist Posts: 638 ✭✭✭✭
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    Tough to tell based on only these photos. 1795 half of a relatively common date and many photograph better than these. I’d consider choosing neither and continuing my search for one that is more photogenic.

    Successful transactions with: wondercoin, Tetromibi, PerryHall, PlatinumDuck, JohnMaben/Pegasus Coin & Jewelry, CoinFlip, coinlieutenant, bigjpst, and joebb21.

  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    B looks more original. It’s darker, but not too dark for my liking. It also has better details, which is very important to me.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • RYK
    RYK Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    B looks more original and has more detail but it is not necessarily attractive.

    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • Kliao
    Kliao Posts: 5,802 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I like coin B as it looks more original and I don't mind a slightly darker and crusty example.

    Collector
    Over 100 Positive BST transactions buying and selling with 57 members and counting!
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  • skier07
    skier07 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I prefer coin B as it looks more original to me but I’m not a huge fan of either coin.

  • golden
    golden Posts: 10,536 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Tough to tell with those photos, but I would take B.

  • hummingbird_coins
    hummingbird_coins Posts: 1,671 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I'm seeing at least one point higher detail on coin A than on coin B. In this comparison, knowing the price of each coin could change my preference despite the slight difference in originality.

    Young Numismatist • My Toned Coins
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  • pursuitofliberty
    pursuitofliberty Posts: 7,926 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    B looks like the potentially nicer coin, despite possible grade differences. More original/natural/problem-free from what I can tell.

    Both images leave a LOT to be desired though.


    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

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  • bronzemat
    bronzemat Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I gotta go with B.

  • safari_dude
    safari_dude Posts: 698 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    B…

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,092 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 13, 2026 10:40AM
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    I like a

  • jfriedm56
    jfriedm56 Posts: 3,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Coin A. But really don’t like the reverse so much.

  • JBN
    JBN Posts: 2,007 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 13, 2026 5:24AM
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    Top coin looks to be T-24, R4.
    Bot coin tougher - looks to be T-20, R4.
    Being that rarity is similar, I went for the better look [Coin B].
    Top one looks a little bright.

  • PerryHall
    PerryHall Posts: 47,756 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I don't care for either one. Keep looking.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • coinkat
    coinkat Posts: 24,542 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would choose B over A. I see the two images as being reflective of the problem of finding an attractive coin for the date. B seems to have a crusty look which I prefer at this grade level. Coin A seems to have a look that would nag me as whether or not it should have straight graded.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • RandomSchmoe
    RandomSchmoe Posts: 76 ✭✭✭
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    Coin B. I like the aged look of it.

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  • dhikewhitney
    dhikewhitney Posts: 532 ✭✭✭✭
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    I prefer coin B (detail, VG 10ish) over coin A (too light, VG 8ish) but at what price ?

  • rhedden
    rhedden Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I voted for Coin A. I see the old pinscratches on the reverse, but the first glance at the coin evoked a much stronger positive reaction from me. Coin B looks original, but it also has rough, splotchy surfaces and a weak strike in key areas like the date. I agree with others who said it is more likely to be fully original than Coin A. However, I don't love the eye appeal.

  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,192 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    If that is the only information I would be given in order to make the choice it would then be Coin C.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • jacrispies
    jacrispies Posts: 1,638 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I would desire coin A. Coin A, although having a cleany look to it, it has full rims and is easier to look at. Coin B looks more "original" but isn't as easy to appreciate.

    "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
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  • rhedden
    rhedden Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 13, 2026 10:12AM
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    Most collectors seeking a low-grade 1795 half are going to want to see that "1795" plain and clear. Don't spend too much time obsessing over original surfaces if the date and rim are weak.

  • BigFrankie
    BigFrankie Posts: 60 ✭✭✭
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    B.

    Crusty/ original / better Obv hair detail. I prefer that look.

  • lkenefic
    lkenefic Posts: 9,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks everyone... these are the seller's pics so I really can't offer higher resolution images. As far as "the rest of the story"... both are straight-graded. Coin A is in a PCGS F12 holder and Coin B is in an older ANACS holder at F15. Lower grades, but this is my "budget" for this piece. Personally, I prefer the crustier look of Coin B... and there's nothing that looks to be a scratch (reverse of Coin A), but the weakness in date gives me pause. I recall a similar predicament with 1794 Large Cents... some have weak strikes about the date yet still grade in the VF range...

    At this point, and as some have suggested, I think I'll be looking for "Coin C"... thanks again... Best, Leo

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • WildWestHalfDollars
    WildWestHalfDollars Posts: 7,106 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Neither I would look for a better example.

    Liberty Seated Half Dollars

  • skier07
    skier07 Posts: 4,834 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    “At this point, and as some have suggested, I think I'll be looking for "Coin C"... thanks again... Best, Leo”

    +1

  • jayPem
    jayPem Posts: 4,119 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    1795 halves had some great die cracks and clashes.
    That’s what I’d be looking for, might take some time but eventually…

  • TwoSides2aCoin
    TwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,219 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 13, 2026 7:31PM
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    I like B for eye appeal.

  • humanssuck
    humanssuck Posts: 701 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I know this is a different denomination, but I'd be looking for one with this kind of look. F12.

  • mr1931S
    mr1931S Posts: 7,312 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    B. A looks like it went through a washing machine. B is the nicer coin.

    "Two things are infinite: human stupidity and the universe; and I'm not sure about the universe."
    -Albert Einstein-

    Mistakes are natural. But repeated mistakes without reflection are something else. That may be the “stupidity” he was referring to. In research, he admitted uncertainty openly. “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” This shows humility. Even a Nobel laureate accepted doubt. That humility makes the quote less cynical and more observational.

  • lkenefic
    lkenefic Posts: 9,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @TwoSides2aCoin said:
    I like B for eye appeal.

    I agree... it has that "unmessed-with" look that I've come to appreciate in early silver.

    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

    Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
  • Windycity
    Windycity Posts: 3,603 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I like coin B... seems original. Coin A has the cleaned look. Here is one for comparison. I like original.


    <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.mullencoins.com">Mullen Coins Website - Windycity Coin website

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