U.S. COIN REFERENCE · Flowing Hair half dime
Flowing Hair half dimes: a five-cent coin without a value inscription
The design alone cannot tell a cropped early-silver photograph’s denomination.
By SalarsNet · Reviewed October 5, 2026
Recognize the small eagle family
The 1794–1795 half dime has Liberty facing right and a small eagle within an open wreath. It carries no denomination inscription. Confirm the size through an actual measurement or reliable scale in the photograph before comparing it with a dollar or half dollar using related designs.
Type references: PCGS Flowing Hair Half Dime ↗
Striking and adjustment marks
Light striking can occur on early half dimes, and parallel adjustment marks can originate in Mint planchet preparation. Their presence still needs a precise description. Inspect hair, stars, eagle, and wreath together; a soft center by itself cannot supply the circulation grade. Later scratches and smoothing need separate treatment rather than being assumed to be Mint-made.
Type references: PCGS Flowing Hair Half Dime ↗
The two dates have different availability
The 1795 is encountered more often than 1794. High-grade preservation adds another scarcity question to either date. For a type purchase, compare the same date and similar surface quality, and keep the actual dimension record with the research so the denomination stays secure.
Type references: PCGS Flowing Hair Half Dime ↗
Selected reviewed issue records
These catalog standards describe the named issue, not a measured specimen. The selected records below do not cover every date, mint, strike, or die variety. Reported production is labeled separately from established mintage. Unknown standards and mintage remain visible; survival estimates and certified populations are separate research questions.
No issue-level specification or mintage records are published for this category yet. Verify the exact date, mint, strike, metal, and subtype in its reference before using a numerical standard.
References and review
Reference reviewed October 5, 2026. Historical facts and catalog standards need to match the exact issue; price comparisons should be researched at the time of valuation.