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The 1803 Draped Bust Half Dollar is a scarce early American silver issue with a reported mintage of 188,234 pieces. Survivorship, however, tells the true story of the coin’s rarity. Combined certification data from NGC and PCGS shows only 1,597 original examples have been certified and graded, representing just 0.848 percent of the original mintage. That remarkably low survival figure underscores how elusive problem-free examples have become for today’s collectors.
Much of the attrition can be traced to international commerce during the early nineteenth century. After silver dollar production ceased following the 1803 issue, large quantities of half dollars were exported in trade to China, where American silver coins circulated heavily and were often melted or lost over time. As a result, surviving 1803 half dollars are far scarcer than their original mintage would initially suggest.
This NGC AU Details example still retains strong detail and the distinctive character that makes Draped Bust coinage so desirable. Early federal half dollars remain a cornerstone of advanced numismatic collections, and the 1803 issue represents an important survivor from the formative years of the United States Mint.
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