1802: the second in a series of draped bust half dollars

Baley · May 28, 2007 6:41AM

1802 half dollars were all coined with a single pair of dies, so there is only the O-101

very few collectors will have the priviledge of owning an 1802 half dollar.

Cladiator · May 28, 2007 6:41AM

What was the mintage? Estimated number surviving today?

Nysoto · May 28, 2007 9:47AM

Baley - thanks for starting the 1802 thread!

The reverse die was left over from 1801 O.102. Mintage was 28,890, with 201-500 estimated survivors (R-3 rarity), auction frequency shows the 1802 to be closer to 500 than 201. The 1802 is slightly more scarce than 1801 half dollars. The obverse has the slightly higher relief Obverse Design Type #1, and the reverse uses small stars for Reverse Design Type #1, the first of three reverse hubs used for to make 1801-1807 half dollar working dies (more details in a future John Reich Journal!).

DNADave · May 28, 2007 9:59AM

This is a tough coin.

I too would like to know how many are estimated to survive. Mine has a great obverse but the reverese seems to have more wear/weaker details. The reverse pic is from before I took it out of the slab.

TomB · May 28, 2007 10:26AM

I've shown this one before. It was formerly owned by Robinson Brown of EAC-fame, who acquired it in 1984 from Jules Reiver. Robinson had a small chache of early halves certified by NGC in approximately 1992 and David Lange has mentioned that it might have been as few as 12-20 halves that were slabbed with the Robinson pedigree. Sheridan Downey later sold this piece in his Downey MBS#15 with the following writeup-

<< Tied for #2 condition census. Even lower mintage than in 1801 and comparably rare in high grade. I've seen but one honest AU, never an UNC. NGC awarded this superb coin a bonus for eye appeal. The surfaces and toning are first rate, but I'd like to see more luster for a 45. The strike is excellent, with plenty of breast feathers and a few on the neck. All in all, the Brown coin is superior to the bright, hairlined "AU" that brought $5500 in the Brilliant sale. Here is a prize for the serious collector. (from) Jules Reiver, 1984. >>

DNADave · May 28, 2007 10:34AM

<<

>>

That is such a wonderful coin.

DNADave · May 31, 2007 9:53AM

ttt

anyone else?

TomB · May 31, 2007 10:00AM

I figured my post killed the thread.

Baley · May 31, 2007 11:20AM

LoL, no, just that no one else has an 1802 half!

Gorgeous one of a kind coin TomB, thanks again for your backup coin, else I wouln't have one either!

Also, how in the heck did Cladiator reply to the thread before it was posted?

rhedden · May 31, 2007 11:31AM

In 2002, I had a chance to buy a F-15 to VF-20 1802 for just $800 at a show. It had two or three tiny hairlines, and it wasn't certified, so I passed. I did buy the 1801 the guy had for $700, which is now in a PCGS F-12 slab (I grade it F-15). I would rank that 1802 half as the #1 coin I should have bought but didn't; but the pain is somewhat lessened by the ownership of the nice 1801. I wonder who has the 1802?

PreTurb · May 31, 2007 12:05PM

Hi Folks, here's another one for you - I've always wondered if it would slab AU on a good day, but havn't bothered to try. Probably too much rub. I've seen at least one, possibly two P50's that didn't seem as nice as this one (there's that ownership bias talking!). FWIW, Alpine said this was the nicest 45 he had ever seen/handled.

jdillane · November 8, 2007 8:08AM

<< Hi Folks, here's another one for you - I've always wondered if it would slab AU on a good day, but havn't bothered to try. Probably too much rub. I've seen at least one, possibly two P50's that didn't seem as nice as this one (there's that ownership bias talking!). FWIW, Alpine said this was the nicest 45 he had ever seen/handled.

Sure looks like a candidate for a P50. Depends on the surfaces and whether its a "good day"!

Gobrechts99Grapevine · November 9, 2007 9:15AM

What grade do you think PCGS assigned to my 1802 half?

STONE · November 9, 2007 9:18AM

That's either a 53 or 55

SWEET!!!

JRocco · November 9, 2007 9:39AM

<< What grade do you think PCGS assigned to my 1802 half?

>>

That is a really nice coin..........

I think I see just enough rub to call it a 55

I really really like this coin.

Cgb · November 9, 2007 9:39AM

<< What grade do you think PCGS assigned to my 1802 half?

>>

Wasn't that listed on Coin Rarities Online? Looks like it is already in a PCGS slab, as I recall it being.

Are you sure that is your coin?

Gobrechts99Grapevine · November 9, 2007 9:39AM

We gotta get you into the grading room!

Gobrechts99Grapevine · November 9, 2007 9:43AM

I have no idea if it was ever listed on Coin Rarities Online, but I am 100% sure it's in a PCGS slab in my safety deposit box. It is true that my mother is an authorized signer on the box, but I trust my mother!

Gobrechts99Grapevine · November 9, 2007 12:34PM

Come on someone, guess the grade! Seriously - anybody else want to give it a try?

Baley · November 9, 2007 12:55PM

Very very nice 1802 G99G, from your responses to other guesses I'll say 50? Hard to believe it's lower but maybe they netted it la grade for some field friction and stray marks?

TahoeDale · November 9, 2007 1:15PM

This is one very nice 1802 half. I grade it 55/58. It is a beauty.

PreTurb · November 9, 2007 9:34PM

50 or 53, I'd say 50

Gobrechts99Grapevine · November 10, 2007 5:53AM

I guess TomB can call it an "honest AU," because PCGS graded it AU50. If it really is just an AU50, and I have to agree that it is, I would say that it's definately "PQ" for the grade.

RYK · December 30, 2007 10:34PM

Baley · January 29, 2008 10:09AM

Holy Cow RYK did you get that??

WoW!

1802: the second in a series of draped bust half dollars

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