1795 O-106 R.6 NGC VG8 FLOWING HAIR 50C ~ MAJOR RARITY!

IMPORTANT R.6 FLOWING HAIR HALF DOLLAR ~ O-106 NGC VG8 ~ High-end & Very Rare!

Only a few dozen examples of this die marriage are known to exist. The obverse die used for the O-106 marriage was on its 4th term of duty, having been paired with 3 other reverses before this one. The right side of the die was becoming warped, possibly from die clashing, leading to a ridge through the right stars and incomplete striking on that side. The reverse die used for O-106 is always found cracked completely in half, yet the present example shows a larger crack than usual, suggesting that it was one of the last pieces struck before the die was scrapped. The right side of the reverse die had sunken inward, causing two uneven planes and an incomplete flow of metal into the design. This geriatric die marriage was destined for early failure, hence the pronounced rarity of this striking.

An attractive, uncleaned, warm pearl gray and golden patina is very pleasing and above average. This half dollar is exceptionally smooth for such a heavily circulated coin from the time of George Washington's second term as President. When the specific die variety is considered, the grade looks closer to F12 than VG8! Scattered album slide marks on the reverse high points are visible at some angles, but are of little concern on a rarity of this caliber. A truly elusive variety and seldom offered for sale; only a couple have been auctioned on Heritage in the past 15 years. R.6 means that between 30 and 75 are known to exist, but that does not indicate the number of coins capable of being certified as problem free. NGC has certified just 6 examples, (and while PCGS has not listed, publicly, the number of O-106 halves that they've recognized, it cannot be many).