1794 Half Dollar

The 1794 half Dollar used to be a scarce issue - until a hoard of them was released starting sometime in 2017 and into 2018.
This is still a scarcer date than the 1795 Half Dollar, but not as scarce as once thought. Collector Terry Brand alone had a hoard of approximately 180-200 specimens.

This is my low grade example: Overton-101, the commonest variety.
Happy to have it, as it is the 1st half dollar minted by the Federal Government, and loaded with history, regardless of its scarcity.

ex. Jonathan Kern, 1988.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Nice!
I don't have any of that date, but a few of 1795.

 

I saw a dealer post a dozen graded ones on eBay a couple months ago, and I thought, "Hmm... I thought these were rare!?"

 

Nice example, Edouard.

 

Very nice example, thanks for posting it.

 

Congratulations Eduard, very handsome coin. I have (so far!) settled for a well-worn ‘95, but seeing your beauty and hearing about ‘94s recently increased availability has given me, shall we say, something to think about.

 

Nice Eduard - love it.

 

Thanks, guys!

Magnus, when I bought this coin back in the late 80's, it was considered very scarce (if not rare). It was priced accordingly, and any example in any grade was good to have. Thirty years later, with all of the examples that have come lately on the market, prices have come down accordingly, specially in lower grades - so if you or anybody wants one this is probably a good time.

 

Yes a wonderful coin. A first federal mintage does carry it weight alone

 

How expensive are they?

 

Really? I hear tell that you hail from that era...........

 

I hadn't heard about a hoard of them being released. Do you have a link to an article about it somewhere?

 

Sweet piece, Edward.

 

I am sure they got swallowed up by a hungry market, so although the price dropped, it probably didn't do so to much, or for too long. Plenty of people waiting for the opportunity. Very nice piece.

 

Look at the Heritage history. One auction in mid August had like 25 of then then back to back days early September another like 30 sold.

If I remember correctly from the old CU thread about it, some hoard of like 50 to 100 were being sold off and people were wondering why they didn't make them spread it out more.

 

This thread on CU discusses the topic, including a compilation of the varieties contained in the collector's accumulation of 1794 halves.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/984567/lots-of-1794-half-dollars-on-the-market

 

Glad to see you were a fan of original surfaces 30 years ago! That's a "dream" coin for me.

 

Thank you! it is a dream coin for me too. It has everything I look for - historical and numismatic significance.
I paid $800 for it back 30 years ago, and I still distinctly remember the dealer
explaining to me that at that price the 'downside is very low'. I think all in all he was right.

 

A very wise purchase indeed!