So, which is it, 1794 or 1795 FH Half?

STONE · February 23, 2008 11:49AM

I found this on eBay and I'm stumped with it. This is the most worn obverse I have seen on a FH Half.

So, if you are smart enough and up for a challenge, help me find the Overton number (and corresponding date) for this coin.

The prize of Overton God will be dubbed to the person who accurately explains why it is the O-??? and not any other.

TomB · February 23, 2008 12:16PM

It looks like a 1795 O.110 because of the berry alignment on the reverse coupled with the lowest haircurl position on the obverse.

yellowjacket · February 23, 2008 12:58PM

You go, TomB!!!

Garrow

STONE · February 23, 2008 1:10PM

Tom, I think you nailed it.

savoyspecial · February 23, 2008 1:11PM

are those die cracks or scratches on the obverse?

greg

MrEureka · February 23, 2008 1:13PM

are those die cracks or scratches on the obverse?

Probably not.

MrEureka · February 23, 2008 1:59PM

Stone - What does the edge look like?

Also, I checked your pawprints against the FBI database and...

STONE · February 23, 2008 2:32PM

This isn't my coin, just one I found on eBay that I thought was strange.

Those also look like scratches and not die cracks; if they were die cracks that would be awesome!!!

Bruceswar · February 23, 2008 2:34PM

They look like cracks to me...

Nysoto · June 13, 2008 3:22PM

Agree with O-110. They are not die cracks.

notwilight · June 13, 2008 3:36PM

If they were die cracks they would have worn away over 200 years ago. --Jerry

TennesseeDave · June 13, 2008 10:52PM

This one is also listed on E-bay,looks like a 94 but what do you think?1794 or 1795

STONE · June 13, 2008 10:56PM

Really tough to say from the angle the obverse is imaged in his hand.

At first I am inclined to say 1794, but then the "4" looks like it would be tiny in comparison to the other digits in the date.
I would play it safe with this one and expect the 1795.

It's also tough to attribute any variety due to the reverse image being so fuzzy.

speety · June 13, 2008 11:21PM

I think the one in the second link in a 1795. I don't remember any 1794's having star 13 that for from the bust. Most are almost right under, right?

supergem · June 14, 2008 1:17AM

Both of the coins mentioned in this thread are 1795's not 1794's. 1794 half dollars display an eagle on the reverse with a thinner neck and thinner legs and more delicate wing and tail feathers. (Look especially at the tip of the wing between the I and T in UNITED.) This style eagle was used on all 1794 varieties and some of the 1795 varieties. The eagle on the reverse of both coins mentioned in this thread is the style with a thicker neck and thicker legs, and that was used in 1795 only (for some varieties).

Here's the reverse of a 1794 half in an upcoming Heritage sale:

And here is the reverse of a 1795 half for comparison:

RYK · June 14, 2008 1:18AM

Very informative first post, supergem. Welcome!

supergem · June 14, 2008 1:21AM

Thanks RYK!

It took me a while to get my password and figure out posting, but I'm glad to finally be here.

So, which is it, 1794 or 1795 FH Half?

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