1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar

Early Silver Half Dollars

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar
Mintage: 23,464
Minted at: Philadelphia (No Mint Mark)
Designer – Engraver: Robert Scot
Metal Composition: 89% Silver - 11% Copper
Diameter: 32.5 mm
Mass / Weight: 13.48 grams
Melt Value: $22.37
The very first US Half Dollar ever made was produced in 1794 as the Flowing Hair Half Dollar. This coin did not have a denomination indicator such as "50 C." or "Half Dollar" - So the denomination was simply discerned by the diameter size of the coin and the words on the edge of the coin: "FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR". The reverse of the coin features the Small Eagle portrait.

Coin Value Chart

Typical retail values in USD based on grade/condition. Numismatic portion last updated February 2026; precious-metal portion updates live.

1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar value chart – grades from Good-4 through Proof
G4 VG8 F12 VF20 EF40 AU50 MS60 MS65 PR65
$4,261 $5,636 $7,346 $14,894 $37,256 $86,986 – – –
USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1794 Flowing Hair Half Dollar is Worth $4,261 in Average Condition, and more in higher condition.

Learn How to use Coin Price Charts · Learn About Grading Coins · The melt value above is the bare-metal floor. See melt values for every US coin.
US Coin Metal Content Values

Nearby Flowing Hair Years / Mints

View Entire Flowing Hair Half Dollar Coin List

Marketplace listings for this coin

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How to Use the Coin Value Tables

These tables show estimated retail values for each date, mint mark, and variety across the most commonly collected grades. Here’s how to read them.

Sample Table (Lincoln Wheat Cent)

G4 VG8 F12 VF20 EF40 AU50 MS60 MS65 PR65
378 652 943 1,213 1,325 1,507 2,755 11,565 –

Understanding Each Column

G4 → PR65 (Grade Columns)
Estimated retail values in the most commonly collected grades on the Sheldon scale:
  • G4 – Good
  • VG8 – Very Good
  • F12 – Fine
  • VF20 – Very Fine
  • EF40 – Extremely Fine
  • AU50 – About Uncirculated
  • MS60 / MS65 – Mint State (Uncirculated)
  • PR65 – Proof
A dash (–) means pricing data is unavailable, the grade is extremely rare/non-existent for that issue, or (on modern coins) the piece is worth face value in that grade.

About the Prices

Values are estimates of what a collector would typically pay a dealer or another collector. They are based on long-term tracking of catalogs, dealer lists, eBay and Heritage results, our own marketplace, and live precious-metal prices for silver, gold, and platinum issues.

For the most recent years we use running mintage totals from the U.S. Mint until sales of a product end. Once a product is discontinued, the final cumulative figure becomes the official mintage.

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