Unless provision was made by law, the Mint could not continue at Philadelphia. - The Raleigh Minerva, Raleigh, North Carolina, February 8, 1803Mint color remains abundant and bold at the peripheries, contrasting pleasantly with the faded violet undertones across the frosty surfaces. Satiny in character, the luster is prominent and complete on both sides. Aesthetically pleasing and original in appearance, this gem cent is free of substantial defects. A few unobtrusive specks are noted among the letters ERTY of LIBERTY. On the reverse, dark spots between AM and inside E of AMERICA and a larger spot at the base of the first T in STATES are noted. Neither fields nor devices show marks of consequence. Some natural "planchet chips" or tiny struck through depressions create a somewhat granular area off Libertys forehead, and a similar vertically oriented low spot is barely visible near the base of Libertys neck. The overall quality of this piece is unimpeachable, and it rests comfortably within the Condition Census for the variety.The dies have clashed multiple times, leaving several impressions of denticles at the upper left obverse periphery and through the letters of LIBERTY. Fainter clash marks are seen around Libertys profile and on either side of the hair bow. The reverse likewise shows several sets of clashes, most visible below the wreath, though vestiges remain within the wreath and a bust impression is seen below TES O. A very faint crack passes from the denticles below the right side of the 3, through the right side of the numeral, and into Libertys drapery. This roughly equates to Breens State II, though the "very faint crack from the tops of ME to the rim between ER" Breen describes is not visible here. What Breen calls a "guide line" is seen atop the space between STATES and OF.Though more than six million total cents were struck in the years 1802 and 1803, the United States Mint was in a state of turmoil. When the seat of government moved to Washington, D.C. from Philadelphia in 1800, the executive, legislative, and judicial functions picked up and moved to the banks of the Potomac, except for the Philadelphia Mint. With highly trained personnel, heavy equipment that was nearly impossible to move or replace, and vital proximity to the Philadelphia banks that were the major depositors of gold and silver, the Mint was allowed to stay behind. Some Congressmen campaigned against the Mint, questioning its usefulness, efficiency, and expenditures. A two-year legislative reprieve came in March 1801, allowing the Mints continued existence in Philadelphia until 1803. In preparation of that short-term fix expiring, Samuel Mitchill of New York was chosen to lead "the Committee on repealing the laws concerning the Mint of the U.S." in the House of Representatives.Mitchill, contemporary newspapers reported, "knew a diversity of opinion existed on the subject, and there had been some discussion already about it," so he offered a bill as an open question: should the Mint be shuttered completely, moved to Washington or left open in Philadelphia? As it turned out, the committee was divided. Congressman Mitchill cast the deciding vote "in favor of making the present application. In the present want of copper coin and small silver for change, he did not choose to take the responsibility upon himself of suffering the Mint to stop for want of legislative consideration and aid."Mitchills vote saved the Mint and preserved its position in Philadelphia for five years, by the terms of the Act of March 3, 1803. The Act was renewed at five year intervals until 1828, when question of moving the Mint from Philadelphia was postponed indefinitely.After 1803, the Mint continued to grow and soon prospered. The large mintage of cents this year helped ameliorate the shortage of small change, as 1803 cents quickly found their way into circulation. This piece was one of a tiny number set aside soon after release; today no more than a handful are equal in quality.
