1794 1/2C High Relief Head, BN

The 1794 1/2C High Relief Head, BN (Bicentennial) is a significant and rare coin for numismatists and collectors. Minted at the Philadelphia Mint, this coin comes with a fascinating history, particularly being the very first year of issue for U.S. Federal half cents. The 1794 High Relief Head was produced in limited quantity with a mintage of 81,600 coins. Due to its age and the relatively small number struck, this coin's rarity has captured the attention of collectors and historians over the years.

The 1794 1/2C High Relief Head, BN features Liberty's profile with a flowing hairstyle, emblematic of early American coinage design. This high-relief design was challenging, leading to changes in subsequent years in pursuit of improved minting efficiency. The coin’s scarcity is heightened by its rich, storied past and the difficulty of striking these high-relief images accurately.

This provides an artistic nod to the infancy of American minting technology. Collectors value the 1794 1/2C High Relief Head not only for its historical importance but also for its aesthetic attributes. The “BN” designation refers to the brown toning that typically appears due to oxidation over time. While mint state examples are exceedingly rare, those that exist command high premiums at auction due to the combination of historical allure and challenging survival conditions over two centuries.

From an economic standpoint, the value of this coin varies significantly based on its condition, with examples ranging from several thousand dollars to over a hundred thousand dollars for those in mint condition. Notable auction sales include a specimen that fetched $138,000 at an auction, reflecting the coin’s high desirability. These coins are not just historic mementos but also sound investments due to their limited availability and unwavering interest from numismatists.

The PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) classification for this coin is PCGS #1000. Coins with higher preservation are listed at higher points on the PCGS scale, impacting their desirability and price. According to PCGS CoinFacts, surviving specimens tend to range from Very Good (VG) to Mint State (MS), with higher grades being extremely rare and thus, highly sought after by collectors. From a collector's viewpoint, the 1794 1/2C High Relief Head, BN is not simply valuable but an essential piece of the numismatic puzzle of early American history. Its recognition stems from its place as an icon of the nation's numismatic inception, wrapped in the aura of rarity and historical significance. As such, it remains a focal point at prestigious auctions and is continually celebrated in numismatic discussions and literature.