1803/2 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-2. Rarity-5. Imperfect T, 3 Free of Bust. MS-62 (PCGS).；Soft satin luster mingles with vivid rose-orange and olive-gold patina on both sides of this handsome half eagle. The strike is overall sharp and pleasing for the type, despite light adjustment mark (as made) over and below Libertys bust. Nicely centered on the planchet with an uncommonly smooth appearance for the assigned grade, this coin is sure attract premium bids.<p>This coin displays another fantastic example of die reuse. All known half eagles struck in 1803 bear the 1803/2 overdate. As with the 1802/1, the recutting failed to obliterate the underlying digit on both known obverse dies, making it plainly visible to the unaided eye. On the obverse die used in the BD-2 die pairing, the bottom right serif is missing on the letter T in LIBERTY and the 3 in the date is free of the bust. The reverse is equally distinguishable: the lower left-most star is well below the eagles beak and touches the ribbon, unlike the BD-1 and BD-3 which also employed this obverse die. Since the half eagle had proven its worth in everyday commerce, production was stepped up in 1803 with a reported mintage of 33,506 pieces. As a whole, 1803/2 half eagles are among the more available early half eagles, but of the known die pairs, BD-2 is easily the scarcest. Only some 40 to 50 examples are thought extant. Despite extensive circulation at the time of issue and the melts in later decades, a fair number of examples exist in higher grade levels, and a small group of Mint State coins are known. Long popular as an overdate, this solid Mint State 1803/2 half eagle will draw attention from new collectors and seasoned numismatists alike.；From our (Stacks) sale of the Harold S. Bareford Collection, December 1978, lot 153. Lot tag included.
