1800 Draped Bust Half Dime. LM-1. Rarity-3. MS-65 (NGC).This highly appealing example is richly toned in a blend of antique gold and steel gray patina. Soft satin luster throughout, the surfaces are expectably smooth for the impressive Gem rating from the certification service. Both sides are nicely centered within fully denticulated borders, the detail bold to sharp throughout with no areas of mentionable softness. Among the finest certified for both the type and variety, this lovely coin would serve with distinction in an advanced numismatic cabinet. After a hiatus of two years (1798 and 1799) when no half dimes were struck, the Mint resumed production of this denomination in 1800. During the years leading up to the turn of the 19th century, Engraver Robert Scots Heraldic Eagle reverse design (copied from the Great Seal of the United States) had been introduced to more and more of the United States silver and gold denominations. Its first use was in 1796 on the quarter eagle, followed by the eagle in 1797 and the dime, silver dollar and half eagle in 1798. Next came the half dime in 1800, with the half dollar and quarter the last to make the change in 1801 and 1804, respectively. Gaps in production, as with the half dime in 1798 and 1799, explain why it took the Mint so long to standardize the design of all of the silver and gold denominations around the Heraldic Eagle reverse, but by 1804 the transition was complete. The obverse remained the Draped Bust motif, enduring on the silver coins until John Reichs Capped Bust design made its first appearance in 1807.As the half dime was not a popular denomination with early depositors of silver bullion, after 1805 no more examples were struck until 1829. As well, no 1804-dated half dimes were produced. Comprised of just five dates, the Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle half dime is one of the shortest series in all of U.S. numismatics. Not surprisingly, it is also one of the most challenging types to collect in even the lowest Mint State grades. Most such pieces seem to have survived as a matter of chance, although a few of the very finest survivors may have been used for presentation to important visitors or other special persons with connections to the early Mint. This may have been the case for this Gem, although in the absence of provenance information we can only speculate. The survival of an early half dime with such quality and eye appeal is an extremely rare occurrence, and our offering here could very well represent a once in a lifetime bidding opportunity for the connoisseur.NGC Census (all die marriages of the issue): 7; 3 finer (MS-67).
