1800 H10C MS(PCGS#4264)

Spring 2025 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

3027

等级

MS61

价格

92,608

详细说明

A lovely piece, far finer visually than one would normally expect to see in an early U.S. Mint coin at the certified MS-61 grade level. The surfaces are wonderfully original in preservation and offer vivid powder blue, reddish-gold and pinkish-rose undertones to dominant pewter and olive-gray patina. The strike is well centered and, while there is softness to the high points and in opposing areas, it is rather well executed by the standards of the type. A touch of rub and minor friction point to trivial handling that explains the MS-61 assessment from PCGS, but given the attractively original toning and lack of sizeable marks the eye appeal is superior to that of the nicest Choice AUs that we can recall handling. Presenting better than many Draped Bust half dimes in MS-62 and even MS-63 holders that your cataloger (JLA) has evaluated over the years, the strongest bids are in order for this PQ example.<p>After a hiatus of two years (1798 and 1799) when no half dimes were struck, the Mint resumed production of this denomination in 1800. During the years leading up to the turn of the 19th century, Engraver Robert Scot's Heraldic Eagle reverse design (copied from the Great Seal of the United States) had been introduced to more and more of the United States' silver and gold denominations. Its first use was in 1796 on the quarter eagle, followed by the eagle in 1797 and the dime, silver dollar and half eagle in 1798. Next came the half dime in 1800, with the half dollar and quarter the last to make the change in 1801 and 1804, respectively. Gaps in production, as with the half dime in 1798 and 1799, explain why it took the Mint so long to standardize the design of all of the silver and gold denominations around the Heraldic Eagle reverse, but by 1804 the transition was complete. The obverse remained the Draped Bust motif, enduring on the silver coins until John Reich's Capped Bust design made its first appearance in 1807.<p>As the half dime was not a popular denomination with early depositors of silver bullion, after 1805 no more examples were struck until 1829. As well, no 1804-dated half dimes were produced. Comprised of just five dates, the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle half dime is one of the shortest series in all of U.S. numismatics. Not surprisingly, it is also one of the most challenging types to collect in even the lowest Mint State grades. Most such pieces seem to have survived as a matter of chance, and our offering here represents a fleeting opportunity for the connoisseur.