1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar - CU-50c-1795-01R Cud

Description

The CU-50c-1795-01R is a major die break on the reverse of the 1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar — a coin struck during the formative years of the United States Mint when the Mint had not yet mastered hardening its die steel and dies often failed early. First cataloged by Cuds on Coins on September 1, 2015, with an updated entry dated June 13, 2022, this cud formed when a section of the reverse die fractured and separated at the rim, leaving behind a void in the die face. When planchets were struck with this damaged die, the area corresponding to the missing die fragment produced a raised, featureless blob of metal extending inward from the rim — the hallmark of a cud error. The Flowing Hair Half Dollar, designed by Robert Scot, was struck in 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper at approximately 13.48 grams. The Philadelphia Mint struck 299,680 half dollars dated 1795, from some 32 die marriages. The "R" in the code marks a reverse die break. Examination of the cud's position relative to the wreath and eagle design elements on the Flowing Hair reverse can help determine approximately how much die surface was lost and whether any design features were partially obliterated by the break.

Cross References

• Cross reference: none. 09/01/2015. Updated 06/13/2022.

External References