Flowing Hair half dimes turn the five-cent silver denomination into regular federal coinage across just two dates, with early Mint workmanship visible on every small planchet.
This page covers the 1794 and 1795 Flowing Hair half dimes. The 1792 half disme and the later Draped Bust design remain separate series.
Core specifications
- Issue period
- 1794–1795
- Catalog mints
- 1
- Reported catalog mintage
- 86,416
- Composition
- 89% Silver - 11% Copper
- Diameter
- 16.5 mm
- Weight
- 1.34 g
Small change from a young Philadelphia Mint
The 1792 law defined the half dime as one-twentieth of a dollar, but regular federal silver coinage began only after depositors supplied bullion to the Philadelphia Mint.
The two-date Flowing Hair series belongs to an era of hand-punched dies, variable planchets, and limited small-denomination output. The much larger reported 1795 production changes availability without making condition or authenticity simple.
Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type
Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.
The main portrait and date
Robert Scot's youthful Liberty faces right with loose flowing hair, LIBERTY above, the date below, and stars at the sides.
Denomination, subject, and mint mark
A small eagle stands inside an open wreath, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; the denomination is not written on either face.
Where the cataloged coins were made
Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.
- P — Philadelphia: 1794, 1795; 86,416. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.
Representative issues that explain the series
A two-date checklist is short but demanding. Compare strike, centering, adjustment marks, planchet quality, and surface originality.
- 1794 P — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
- 1795 P — 86,416. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
Issue catalog
From one type coin to a complete catalog
- One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
- Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
- Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.
A note on catalog records
This page uses 2 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.
Sources
- History of U.S. Circulating Coins — United States Mint
- Dime: Designs and History — United States Mint
- Flowing Hair Half Dime category reference — PCGS CoinFacts