1802 – Republic Precious Metals Exchange

Give Me a 1, No, a 2

A mintage of 53,176 Capped Bust Right half eagles was accomplished in 1802, using leftover obverse dies from the previous year that have a 2 punched over the final digit in the date. Collectors have prized the early half eagles since the earliest days of the hobby and the 1802/1 began appearing at auction at least as early as lot 176 of the A.C. Kline Sale (M. Thomas & Sons, 6/1855), although the lot description did not mention the overdate. By the mid-1860s, catalogers began taking note of this feature, as W. Elliot Woodward described the coin in lot 2755 of his Sixth Semi-Annual Sale as, “1802 over 1801; uncirculated, as fine as proof; scarce.” The NGC population is 12 with only 1 higher.

Offered at $41, 975 delivered

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Atypically Original Looking

The first half dollars coined at Philadelphia appeared late in 1794, with a large production the following year, continuing the original Flowing Hair design. Gilbert Stuart’s Draped Bust concept appeared on half dollars in 1796 and 1797, featuring a Small Eagle reverse, and those coins are quite rare. After a brief intermission, the Draped Bust design resumed with a Heraldic Eagle reverse in 1801, and continued through early 1807, skipping coinage dated 1804. The first two issues, 1801 and 1802, are the key dates of that short-lived design type. Mint records indicate a production of 29,890 coins. As is usually the case and you see noted in these offerings, this coin is lighter, as well as more lustrous and appealing looking than portrayed in our images.

Offered at $15,650 delivered