Coin specifications and design
Design identification
Obverse: Liberty with flowing hair.
Reverse: Eagle within wreath.
U.S. Mint coin reference
1794-1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar
Flowing Hair half dollars are the first U.S. half dollars and major early silver type coins.
1794–1795 Flowing Hair Half Dollar history notes
The Flowing Hair half dollar introduced the denomination in 1794. Because neither face states “half dollar,” the edge inscription FIFTY CENTS OR HALF A DOLLAR supplies the denomination and is an essential part of the design.
The statutory alloy was .8924 silver and .1076 copper, while contemporary Mint practice for some early silver coinage was approximately .900 fine. This distinction explains why modern references may describe the same dates differently without changing the 13.48-gram standard.