1803 H10C Small 8 VF30 Certification #33070728, PCGS #4270

Owner's Comments

Small 8 (LM-1)

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The Mint used only two obverse dies to strike Half Dimes in 1803: a Small 8 in the date, and a Large 8.  The difference between the two is immediately apparent by even a casual visual examination, but the best way to tell is by looking at the size of the 8 relative to the 1 of the date.  On the Small 8, the 8 is smaller in height than the 1 and on the large 8, the 8 is much taller than the 1.  Because of the rarity of the Small 8 variety (JR-1), you are most likely to run across a Large 8 variety (JR-2 or 3), but it is still important to check if you are not sure.

PCGS #
4270
Designer
Robert Scot
Edge
Reeded
Diameter
16.50 millimeters
Weight
1.35 grams
Mintage
37850
Metal
89.2% Silver, 10.8% Copper
Pop Higher
10
Pop Lower
10
Region
The United States of America
Price Guide
PCGS Population
Auctions - PCGS Graded
Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades
65 or Better 30 R-8.9 1 / 7 1 / 12
All Grades 1 R-10.0 1 / 7 TIE 1 / 12 TIE
60 or Better 0 R-10.1 1 / 7 1 / 12
65 or Better 30
All Grades 1
60 or Better 0
65 or Better R-8.9
All Grades R-10.0
60 or Better R-10.1
65 or Better 1 / 7
All Grades 1 / 7 TIE
60 or Better 1 / 7
65 or Better 1 / 12
All Grades 1 / 12 TIE
60 or Better 1 / 12

Condition Census Learn More

Pos Grade Thumbnail Pedigree and History
1 MS63 PCGS grade MS63 PCGS grade

Neil Collection - B. Max Mehl 6/1947:1520 - Harold S. Bareford Collection - Stack's 10/1981:36 - Stack's, sold privately in 8/1985 - Stack's 1/2002:1104, $7,762.50 - Bob R. Simpson Collection

2 AU58 PCGS grade AU58 PCGS grade

Lester Merkin 9/1968:128 - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2187, $86,250 - Larry Hanks (as agent) - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack’s/Bowers & Sotheby’s 5/2015:1014, $49,937.50

3 AU55 PCGS grade AU55 PCGS grade
3 AU55 estimated grade
Logan-McCloskey Plate Coin
 
Bowers & Merena 11/1990:159
5 AU50 estimated grade
MS63 PCGS grade #1 MS63 PCGS grade

Neil Collection - B. Max Mehl 6/1947:1520 - Harold S. Bareford Collection - Stack's 10/1981:36 - Stack's, sold privately in 8/1985 - Stack's 1/2002:1104, $7,762.50 - Bob R. Simpson Collection

AU58 PCGS grade #2 AU58 PCGS grade

Lester Merkin 9/1968:128 - Joseph C. Thomas Collection - Heritage 4/2009:2187, $86,250 - Larry Hanks (as agent) - D. Brent Pogue Collection - Stack’s/Bowers & Sotheby’s 5/2015:1014, $49,937.50

AU55 PCGS grade #3 AU55 PCGS grade
#3 AU55 estimated grade
Logan-McCloskey Plate Coin
 
Bowers & Merena 11/1990:159
#5 AU50 estimated grade