1803 Half Dime Appraisal

1803 Draped Bust Silver Half Dime

This numismatic specimen is an 1803 Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle silver half dime, a notable early American coinage issued by the United States Mint. The obverse features the bust of Liberty facing right, with her hair bound by a ribbon and a draped neckline. Below the bust, the date '1803' is visible, although the strike depth and wear have softened the legibility. The coin displays significant circulation wear consistent with a 'Good' to 'Very Good' grade, characterized by flattened high points on Liberty's hair and drapery. The surfaces exhibit a dark, mottled patina with heavy toning, showing bluish and purple iridescent hues which may suggest old cleaning or environmental storage conditions. The planchet shows minor rim dings and surface abrasions consistent with its age. This specific variety is highly sought after by collectors as it represents the final year of the Draped Bust half dime series before a long production hiatus until 1829. The silver composition would typically be 89.24% silver and 10.76% copper. Despite the overall wear, the silhouette and key diagnostic features remain identifiable, representing a scarce piece of early federal-era financial history.