Price Guide for 1794 Half Dime Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $12.85 – $18,161.00Uncirculated: $87.50 – $93,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,495.00 – $5,875.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,500.00 – $22,500.00Uncirculated: $25,000.00 – $175,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11,825.00 – $14,300.00Uncirculated: $46,000.00 – $367,775.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $150,000.00 – $450,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,610.00 – $16,100.00Uncirculated: $11,500.00 – $69,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,020.00 – $40,000.00Uncirculated: $13,800.00 – $77,625.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $12,500.00 – $25,000.00Uncirculated: $25,000.00 – $45,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $780.00 – $14,100.00Uncirculated: $9,775.00 – $132,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,500.00 – $22,500.00Uncirculated: $25,000.00 – $175,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $352.50 – $16,450.00Uncirculated: $8,625.00 – $71,875.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,549.00 – $1,895.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2,500.00 – $22,500.00Uncirculated: $25,000.00 – $110,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1794 Half Dime
The 1794 Half Dime, also known as the Flowing Hair Half Dime, was one of the first silver coins struck by the newly established United States Mint. It represents a crucial piece of early American numismatic history, being part of the first year of silver coinage for the young nation. This coin played a vital role in establishing the decimal-based monetary system of the United States.
| Weight | 1.35 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 16.5 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 89.24% silver, 10.76% copper |
| Obverse Design | Flowing Hair Liberty, designed by Robert Scot |
| Reverse Design | Small eagle with spread wings, designed by Robert Scot |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition is crucial for the 1794 Half Dime’s value. Most surviving specimens show significant wear, making high-grade examples extremely valuable. Coins with original surfaces, strong strikes, and minimal contact marks command substantial premiums.
The presence of luster in uncirculated examples greatly enhances value. Natural toning can be desirable if attractive, but harsh cleaning or damage severely impacts worth. Even small improvements in grade can result in significant value increases for this rare issue.
Mintage: 7,765
Rarity Scale: Very Rare
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: LM-1 to LM-4 varieties (Logan-McCloskey attribution)
Market Demand: High, due to historical significance and rarity
Historical significance plays a major role in the 1794 Half Dime’s value. As one of the first silver coins minted by the U.S., it holds immense appeal for collectors of early American coinage.
Die varieties can affect value, with some being rarer than others. The quality of strike is important, as many examples show weakness in certain areas due to primitive minting techniques.
Provenance can significantly boost value, especially if the coin can be traced to a famous collection or has been featured in important numismatic publications. The combination of rarity, historical importance, and condition makes the 1794 Half Dime a highly sought-after coin in the numismatic market.
