1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-101, T-1. Rarity-3. Large 3, Small Reverse Stars. AU-50 (NGC).

1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar. O-101, T-1. Rarity-3. Large 3, Small Reverse Stars. AU-50 (NGC).，Bountiful swaths of satiny luster remain in most areas across this lovely AU specimen. Touches of golden-olive and bronze iridescence accent the overall pearlescent silver complexion. A razor-thin mark in the field before Libertys face is visible upon inspection, but the surfaces are left otherwise without marks or distractions. The usual softness is seen at the junction of the shield and the eagles right wing, and the balance of design elements remain pleasantly bold. A light crack skirts across the tops of LIBERTY and the characteristic lathe lines within the shield are clearly discernible on the reverse. Strong eye appeal is matched by superior technically quality throughout this piece that certainly transcends the assigned grade. <p>The production of half dollars jumped dramatically for the 1803 issue, rising to 188,234 from less than 30,000 the year prior. The vast majority of these were struck in 1804, as there were no 1804-dated half dollars issued for circulation. This high mintage makes the 1803 issue one of the most popular for type collectors, and attractive, well preserved specimens like the present are always in high demand.，From the Sutton Court Collection of Early Half Dollar Varieties. Earlier ex from Superior Galleries sale of the L.W. Hoffecker Collection, February 1987, lot 3130.，