5102

1794 H10C MS62 PCGS. V-2, LM-2, R.5. Light apple-green

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1794 H10C MS62 PCGS. V-2, LM-2, R.5. Light apple-green
<B>1794<H10C> MS62 PCGS.</B></I> V-2, LM-2, R.5. Light apple-green and plum iridescence consume the centers, and the borders offer bright rose and gold tints. The surfaces are surprisingly unabraded, and the strike is consistently crisp save for slight softness on the berries near the TA in STATES. These berries are opposite the high relief hair locks near the lower left border of Liberty's bust. While other 1794 half dimes are known in Uncirculated grades, and several of these are presumably also attractively toned, the absence of detrimental marks places the present piece within a very select grouping. Although the 1794 dollar receives all the auction glory, half dollars and half dimes were also struck with the same date. These represent the first silver issues from the U.S. Mint. Copper cents and half cents were struck at the facility as early as 1793. Among these different 1794-dated types, the half dime was unique in that the denomination was not expressed anywhere on the coin. The half dollars and dollars bore edge inscriptions that stated the value, and the half cents and cents were each denominated two different ways within the reverse legends. The Flowing Hair half dime type has a reeded edge, and was only produced for two years, before the Draped Bust motif began its reign. Among the two Flowing Hair half dime dates, the 1794 is certainly scarcer, since the LM-8 and LM-10 are relatively available by the difficult standards of early silver U.S. coinage.<BR> A handwritten letter from Walter Breen, dated April 27, 1991, accompanies the lot. In the letter, Breen writes concerning the present piece: "It is a 1794 half dime, Valentine 1 (sic), Breen 1-A, Encyclopedia 2965: Wide date, right branch ends in double leaf. Low rarity 7, possibly the 10th example known, possibly the 4th with any claim to mint state. Even Garrett's was only AU+." Breen was incorrect. The varie