My Find of a Lifetime: 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dime... XF Details!!!!

[Neil in West Jersey]

Back in March I dug my find of a lifetime; a beautiful 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dime. I put it in a safe spot, deciding whether or not I was going to have it slabbed. Part of the problem was not knowing how it would look after conservation. Well, I decided to submit it last month, and it is in fact the rare LM-3 variety. As suspected it came back Damaged, (as most "grounders" do) with XF Details. I wish the conservation had more of an impact on the coin's appearance, but overall I am happy that I now own a certified rare US Flowing Hair Dime!

[cntrydncr1]

It is a beautiful coin Neil! Do you plan to keep it??

[Neil in West Jersey]

It is a beautiful coin Neil! Do you plan to keep it??

If I can get a good price for it, I think I am going to sell it. I am afraid to put it on the auctions though. I need to look at my options.

[ocjeff]

great find, damaged ? looks great to me!

[DigginThePast]

Such an awesome find!

[Brian C.]

Nice find for sure, why would any one damage a coin like that. It goes show you not to trust just any one, I would not let out of my site.

[Neil in West Jersey]

Nice find for sure, why would any one damage a coin like that. It goes show you not to trust just any one, I would not let out of my site.

I think what you are saying is why would it be graded "damaged"? If you look closely, there is some minor pitting on the silver. 200 plus years of laying underground will do that.

great find, damaged ? looks great to me!

Here is a larger photo of the coin before it was sent in for conservation. A lot of what you see in the photo is surface dirt which was removed by NCS. A lot of the discoloration is gone as well, but not all of it. There is also a scratch at the 10 O'clock position next to the rosette. The other marks that look like scratches are actually file marks. The dies were imperfect in 1795 and the excess metal was actually filed down!

Even the slightest surface damage will cause it to be marked "Damaged". Whether it is the slight discoloration, the scratch or both I do not know, but I was expecting it to be marked that way. Of course I was hoping I would be pleasantly surprised!

[eric n n.c.]

very nice!!!!!!!!!!

[hikeinmts]

I saw your coin when you first posted it. GREAT FIND!!! Lucky.....but luck only works so far.
A person's got to turn on his detector, spend time in the field, work hard.....and you did all of that.
Hope you get "lucky" again, and get some more early Americana.

[Tuberale]

Glad you got it slabbed, Neil. An excellent coin regardless of how long it was buried.

Yes, I can see some pitting. Only 86,000 pieces minted for both 1794 and 1795 half dimes, compared to 36,000 for a chain 1793 cent, and 63,000 pieces for a 1793 wreath cent.

Wish I could afford to bid on it: one nice piece of history!

[lost crow]

What a beautiful coin.

[Damon64]

Beautiful!

[nsdq]

nice coin im droooooling

[Neil in West Jersey]

Thanks!

[BARKER]

I think they lowered the Grade due to the damage but it's just a guess on my part ok. Way to go. PEACE:RONB

[Whitebeard]

XF condition! I love details on it, very nice coin, nothing like finding it yourself this way you are sure of what your getting,I would keep it but then again it's your decision.

Congrats, HH

[SeattleHistoryNut]

Most people thank they're lucky stars if they dig a late 19th century coin in shape as good as that!!
-CHN

[California Girl]

Very nice find. Who cares if it's damaged. I would love to find that. Keeper for sure.

[relicminer]

I would love to have one of those "Damaged" coins...lol

[leprechaun]

awesome find.