1803 Draped Bust Half Dime, Heraldic Eagle, Mint State-65 (PCGS)
Logan-McCloskey 3: Large 8, Finest Known, Ex Eliasberg

Logan-McCloskey 3, Valentine 2 - Large 8 in date. Reverse with a leaf joined to the left foot of the final A in AMERICA, not extending to the C. (Rarity 3).

This is unquestionably the finest known 1803 Draped Bust Half Dime, regardless of variety. Undeniably original surfaces show mint frost that is almost never seen on coins of this vintage. The toning is natural and attractive, faint green and gold splashed with bright amber and traces of blue. Some thin, wispy hairlines can be seen under a glass, the most notable of which lays across Liberty's neckline. Overall, a truly exceptional example of this rare early issue.

PCGS reports two 1803 "Large Date" Half Dimes certified as MS-65. However, the other is the ex Andre Dawson example and is clearly inferior by at least a full grade. This, the Eliasberg specimen, is widely recognized as the finest known 1803 Half Dime of any variety.

Provenance:

• B&M notes "Probably from the Harlan P. Smith sale" (S.H. and H. Chapman 5/1906)
• J.M. and John H. Clapp (Morton and J.B. Stack privately, 1942)
• Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. (Bowers and Merena 5/1996: lot 905 @ $53,900 as "Finest Known by Far ... MS-67" to Ed Milas for RARCOA)
• ONR Private Client