5110

1802 H10C VF30 PCGS. V-1, LM-1, R.5. There are many ra

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:90,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1802 H10C VF30 PCGS. V-1, LM-1, R.5. There are many ra
<B>1802<H10C> VF30 PCGS.</B></I> V-1, LM-1, R.5. There are many rare dates in the early U.S. series of gold, silver, and copper coins. The 1802 half dime ranks high among these. Although the estimated population is in the range of 35 to 50 coins, these pieces appear for sale infrequently. When one is acquired by a collector, it is always a long-term acquisition. Over many years and several hundred thousand auction lots offered by Heritage, this is only the ninth offering of an 1802 half dime. We handle one example of this date for every 100,000 auction lots to appear in our sales. In <I>Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837,</B></I> Russ Logan and John McCloskey commented: "The 1802 half dime has not only been recognized as the key date in the early half dime series for well over a century, but it is often described as one of the classic rarities of U.S. numismatics." It is also considered to be among the 100 greatest U.S. coins by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth. The finest known examples of this date grade in the AU range, thus this VF30 grade coin is most desirable.<BR> In all numismatic auctions, held by many different firms, this date appears for sale about once per year. Garrett and Guth commented: "On average, collectors can expect to see but one 1802 half dime appear at auction in any given year. This means that the collector seeking to acquire one of these rarities must be patient, yet ready to act quickly, or wait a year for another one!"<BR> Fortunately for collectors, authentication is relatively easy as all examples are from a single die pair with a distinctive obverse. It would be virtually impossible to successfully alter any other date in the series. The obverse has a large 8 and a high 2, leaning left. The reverse die was used in 1801, 1802, and 1803. A leaf joins the center of C and another has its tip under the right upright of I. No other Heraldic Eagle half dime reverse h