1803/2 $5.00 PCGS MS63+ CAC

BD-4, Rarity-4. I am not always a fan of the plus grade system that both PCGS and NGC employ but in this case I feel that this coin totally deserves some sort of special recognition as it is clearly better than the average MS63 example. The obverse and reverse show a deep, unmolested yellow-gold hue with rich frosty luster and great eye appeal. The strike is sharp and the surfaces are free of all but the smallest ticks in the obverse fields. There are a few adjustment marks on the reverse but this is the sort of early gold coin that is almost never seen any more and it seems as original an example of this type as one could hope for. The last PCGS MS64 1803/2 half eagle to sell at auction was Heritage 1/12: 4850 and this coin, which was also approved by CAC, brought a hefty $57,500. I honestly don't think you could see $25,000 worth of difference between that coin and the one offered here and, to my eyes, the current piece has as much overall eye appeal. A wonderful Bust Right half eagle for the advanced early gold collector and one of the freshest, most attractive example of this specific date that I can recall having seen.

As of June 2012, this is the only MS63+ example of this date graded by PCGS.

1803/2 $5.00 NGC EF40

BD-4, Rarity-4. At the recent CSNS show I made it a point to search high and low for nice quality early gold in EF and AU grades. I would have bought every single piece that was decent and priced at a sensible level. I bought exactly two early half eagles: this coin and an 1808 in AU53 which I sold within three minutes of placing it in my display case. This 1803/2 is a late die state with the cracks joing the base of the 803 very bold. It is deeply toned in purplish-gold hues on the obverse; the reverse is more of a green-gold at the center with rich reds and purples around the border. The detail on the obverse is a touch weak for the grade but this is mostly attributable to the state of the dies; the reverse is well detailed and choice.

1803/2 $5.00 PCGS AU55 CAC

BD-1, Rarity-4. I had to really "pay up" for this piece but I was happy to do so on account of its quality. It is a coin that very easily could have graded AU58 and it is as choice and original an example of this date and type as your are likely to find. The obverse shows some friction in the fields but has choice, even medium gold color; the reverse grades at least AU58+ and shows deeper green-gold hues with tinges of fiery reddish-gold in the lettering. The strike is sharp, the planchet is high quality and the eye appeal is about as high as you will find for an AU example of this type. You can save a $1,000 or so and buy a dipped-out, unattractive Bust Right half eagle or you can pay up (as I did!) and buy a really special coin with true character and great eye appeal. Your choice...