Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Early Half Eagles
1795 $5 Small Eagle, BD-8, High R.5, AU55 PCGS. CAC. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a. United States gold coinage was struck for the first time at the Philadelphia Mint in 1795 and Mint records indicate 8,707 Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle half eagles were produced. However, some 1795-dated coins may have been struck in 1796, if the dies were still serviceable. Twelve die varieties are known for the date and type, so die breakage and wear must have been extensive. Three more 1795-dated varieties are known with the Large Eagle reverse, but these were probably struck in 1797 or 1798. The coin offered here represents the BD-8 variety, with one point of star 10 pointing to the cap and three berries in the wreath. The BD-8 is very scarce in absolute terms, with a surviving population of 30-40 specimen in all grades. The dies were unusually hardy, and the obverse was later used to strike the BD-9 and BD-10 varieties of this date, then put in storage for a few years, and finally used to strike the BD-13 variety, with the Large Eagle reverse. The BD-13 must have had an extremely limited production run, as only one example is known today. The reverse die was later used to strike the very rare and famous 1798 Small Eagle half eagle, also probably in 1797 or 1798.
The present coin is an impressive Choice AU specimen, with sharply detailed design elements that show just a trace of high-point wear. The lightly abraded orange-gold surfaces show deep prooflike reflectivity in sheltered areas and no sign of planchet adjustment marks. The overall presentation is most attractive.
From The Hutchinson Collection.
1795 $5 Small Eagle, BD-8, High R.5, AU55 PCGS. CAC. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a. United States gold coinage was struck for the first time at the Philadelphia Mint in 1795 and Mint records indicate 8,707 Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle half eagles were produced. However, some 1795-dated coins may have been struck in 1796, if the dies were still serviceable. Twelve die varieties are known for the date and type, so die breakage and wear must have been extensive. Three more 1795-dated varieties are known with the Large Eagle reverse, but these were probably struck in 1797 or 1798. The coin offered here represents the BD-8 variety, with one point of star 10 pointing to the cap and three berries in the wreath. The BD-8 is very scarce in absolute terms, with a surviving population of 30-40 specimen in all grades. The dies were unusually hardy, and the obverse was later used to strike the BD-9 and BD-10 varieties of this date, then put in storage for a few years, and finally used to strike the BD-13 variety, with the Large Eagle reverse. The BD-13 must have had an extremely limited production run, as only one example is known today. The reverse die was later used to strike the very rare and famous 1798 Small Eagle half eagle, also probably in 1797 or 1798.
The present coin is an impressive Choice AU specimen, with sharply detailed design elements that show just a trace of high-point wear. The lightly abraded orange-gold surfaces show deep prooflike reflectivity in sheltered areas and no sign of planchet adjustment marks. The overall presentation is most attractive.
From The Hutchinson Collection.