Crossing the Block: A 1795 Small Head half dollar

By James Matthews, Senior Numismatist, Consignment Director

Offered in our upcoming January 24-26, 2012 Americana Sale in New York City is an underappreciated rarity: Lot 8624, a Condition Census example of the Small Head 1795 half dollar in AU-55 (NGC). The "Small Head" refers to the slightly smaller head punch the engraver used to create this particular die. Of the 32 known die pairings of 1795 half dollars, only three obverse dies display this Small Head feature. Furthermore, all of the Small Head sub-varieties are quite rare.

It is believed this particular head punch was the work of engraver John Smith Gardner. Gardner's Small Head punch was also used on a single variety of 1794 half dollars (O-109 variety), which is represented by a single coin known to collectors today. Most of the dies of this early era at the Philadelphia Mint were engraved by Robert Scot, and study reveals Scot's hand to be less artistic than Gardner's.

Combining all three known die varieties of the Small Head design, a coin of AU-55 would rank as the fourth finest Small Head half dollar in existence.

As more and more research is conducted and their elegant designs and balanced presentation gain appreciation, the popularity of and demand for these Small Head half dollars is certain to grow. This is certainly an opportunity not to be missed by any serious student of our earliest federal coinage.