1803/2 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-4. MS-61 (PCGS).；This visually appealing 1803/2 half eagle will be just right for inclusion in a high grade gold type set. Lively satin luster can be seen on both sides, and direct lighting reveals subtle semi-reflectivity in the fields. Quite well produced for an early half eagle, only the eagles left (facing) talon and the top of Libertys cap are appreciably soft. The balance of the design elements are sharp to full, and both sides are nicely centered within uniformly denticulated borders. Bright golden-yellow patina rounds out the list of physical attributes.<p>Although federal records indicate that 53,176 half eagles were struck during calendar year 1803, the estimated mintage of coins actually bearing that date is 32,506 pieces. This estimate is per John W. Dannreuther (<em>Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834</em>, 2006) and is based on the number of coins extant from each of the four known die marriages after allowing for an accepted rate of attrition for a pre-1834 U.S. gold coin issue. BD-1 narrowly edges out BD-3 and BD-4 to rank as the most plentiful variety of the date, although there are only 150 to 200 coins believed extant (again per Dannreuther). Given the particularly strong demand for Mint State survivors among advanced collectors, the coin offered here should certainly see spirited bidding at auction.<br />
