Among the more curious and fascinating coins in our
Rarities Night session at the ANA World’s Fair of Money is lot 3247. This is a gorgeous
Mint State 1803/2 Capped Bust Right half
eagle that will appeal to both specialists and type collectors alike. The half
eagle issues straddling the turn of the 19th century are riddled
with variations and modifications that provide an exciting challenge for
ambitious collectors today. Therein lies an interesting aspect of this variety.
While mintage figures increased significantly beginning with the 1800 issue,
this did not necessarily imply a newfound expertise and perfection of the
minting process. The half eagles of the 1803 production-year expose a curious
oversight at the early Mint in that all known varieties are
overdates. This on its own is unremarkable, but in context of the previous
overdate-only issue of 1802, a lapse in planning is evident.
The mystery began when at least two dies were created
for the 1801 half eagle but, for an unknown reason, these were unused, and no
1801-dated coins were struck. The Mint then repunched the date on these
otherwise suitable dies and employed them to strike the 53,176 coins of the
1802/1 issue. Then once again, at least two new, though seemingly redundant,
dies dated 1802 were manufactured and went unused, only to be repunched with a 3
digit and used for the 1803/2 issue as offered here.
A light prooflike reflectivity is apparent in the
fields on each side of this enchanting Mint State overdate, most notably
contrasting Liberty’s frosty portrait on the obverse. The dominant
sunshine-yellow complexion is accented by swaths of richer honey-gold tones in
the more exposed regions. Well-rendered and without any regions of concern,
despite a trivial softness in the peripheries that is characteristic to this
die pairing. The facade is smooth and composed both under magnification and to
the naked eye, imparting a wholesome aesthetic that far transcends what is
typically associated with the assigned grade level.
This impressive piece will be offered alongside
numerous other treasures in the Rarities Night session. To obtain your copy of
the catalog or to consign your rarities to a future showcase event, please
contact our offices today at 1-800-458-4646 to speak with a Consignment Director
and see what Stack’s Bowers Galleries can do for you.
