Numismatic experts estimate that only 25 of these proof examples were minted for use in Proof Sets of the year. John Jay Pitmman never acquired an 1845 Proof Half Dime for his collection despite years of searching. Pop is 2 with 1 graded higher. From the Richmond Collection and priced slightly above the Trends of $30,000 but below the PCGS Collectors Universe list of $40,000! Keep in mind that a Bowers and Merena auction brought $27,500 for a comparable coin in March of 1998. A richly toned coin with an overlay of turquoise.
The trials and tribulations in the infancy of all great nations can be easily documented by the early coinage of that nation. The United States of America is no exception. Congress, through the commission of the early Mint Director and Chief Engraver strived to depict the joy of freedom and liberty for which so many had fought by creating coins majestic and noble in appearance. The silver dollar was intended to be the cornerstone of America\\\\\\\'s coinage and it is with this intention that Robert Scot created his \\\\\\\"flowing hair\\\\\\\" design. The flowing hair is said to be Scot\\\\\\\'s symbolism for liberty. A two-year type, the \\\\\\\"flowing hair\\\\\\\" dollar was only produced in 1794 and 1795. The NGC population for our coin is 9/34 as compared to the PCGS pop of 36/72. Pair this coin with the slighlty less scarce 3 leaf variety we have available for a complete date set!
The first gold coin produced by the United States, the 1795 half eagle, small eagle reverse can easily be classified as one of the most numismatically coveted coins. Although the mint started actual production in 1793, only copper and silver were coined during the first two years. Initially, outrageous surety bonds were required to be placed by the the Chief Assayer and Chief Coiner and proved financially impossible for them to post. Once these restrictions were lowered, gold production began with 8,705 half eagles and 5,583 eagles coined in 1795. It is important to mention the mint figures given do not included the Heraldic Eagle reverses that were produced two or three years later using old obverse dies coupled with new reverse dies. While all 1795 half eagles are rare, the BD-8 is considered scarcer than the BD-1, BD-3, BD-4, BD-6 or BD-10 varieties, and is given by experts a high 5 rarity rating. Grey sheet quarterly is $53,500 and the Trends and Collectors Universe/PCGS list is $60,000.
Definitely a candidate for inclusion in a premium quality gem proof type set, this coin has stellar eye appeal! The over-toning is mostly copper with shadings of apricot, aqua, cobalt and lavendar on both the obverse and reverse with the toning being considerably deeper on the reverse. Mintage records indicate there were 700 proof specimens produced for 1874, all signifying the coin weight change by the small arrows located next to the date. Population is 7/5. Trends is $25,000 and the Collector\\\'s Universe/PCGS list is $27,000. Truly spectacular!
