2017-08-16 Wed

Dr. Jon P. Amato released a book that talks about the key early half dime - 1802 Draped Bust half dime. The mintage and survival rate is not well-known as compared with other rare American coins.” The “Red Book” stated earlier that the mintage is 13,010. The new book states that the mintage is 3,060 as it is not known if all the half dimes struck in 1802 were dated that year. They were all struck using a single die pair. 32 different varieties have been identified by the author through his extensive research.

A 1802 Draped Bust half dime, graded About Uncirculated 50 was sold for $305,500 at the first Pogue auction on 19th May 2015. It is the third finest known example. In June 2014, the same coin was sold for $352,500. Heritage’s 2009 Central States Numismatic Society auction, then graded Extremely Fine 45, sold for $195,500. It sold for $299,000 at Heritage’s 2006 CSNS sale. The coin was not in the market till 2006. It was the plate coin in The United States Half Dimes by Dr. Daniel W. Valentine (1931). It has a short horizontal scratch and the surfaces have an even grey, violet and gold toning. Amato’s book lists the coin as the Valentine Specimen.