Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Early Half Eagles
1799 $5 Small Reverse Stars, BD-6, R.5, MS63 PCGS. CAC. Bass-Dannreuther Die State d/d. The 1799 Capped Bust Right half eagle is an underrated issue, from a reported mintage of just 7,451 pieces. It is virtually certain that some 1799-dated coins were struck in 1800, however. Nine die varieties are known, seven with the Small Stars reverse and two with the Large Stars motif. This coin represents the BD-6, Small Stars variety, with the second 9 in the date recut and the upright of E in STATES just right of a cloud space. The BD-6 is very scarce in absolute terms, with a surviving population of 40-50 examples in all grades.
Die evidence suggests an extremely complicated emission sequence for this issue, as both dies were employed to strike several different varieties and two remarriages exist, with other varieties struck in between the pairings. The obverse die was first used to strike the BD-4 variety of this date, then it was used to strike the BD-5 issue for the first time, then combined with this reverse to strike the early state of the BD-6, then recombined with the BD-5 reverse to strike more coins of that variety, then remarried to this reverse to strike later state examples of the BD-6, then the reverse was used to strike the very rare 1800 BD-1 coins, and finally both dies were combined again to strike the final die state of the BD-6. This coin was probably struck very near the end of this remarkable sequence, as evidenced by the advanced state of both dies.
This impressive Select specimen exhibits strongly impressed design elements, but the reverse shows some loss of detail, due to lapping. This piece was struck from a late state of the dies, with an extensive network of die cracks and clash marks on both sides. The pleasing orange-gold surfaces are free of large or distracting contact marks, and no trace of planchet adjustment marks is evident. Vibrant mint luster adds to the outstanding overall eye appeal. Population (Small Reverse Stars): 9 in 63, 1 finer (9/16).
From The Hutchinson Collection.
1799 $5 Small Reverse Stars, BD-6, R.5, MS63 PCGS. CAC. Bass-Dannreuther Die State d/d. The 1799 Capped Bust Right half eagle is an underrated issue, from a reported mintage of just 7,451 pieces. It is virtually certain that some 1799-dated coins were struck in 1800, however. Nine die varieties are known, seven with the Small Stars reverse and two with the Large Stars motif. This coin represents the BD-6, Small Stars variety, with the second 9 in the date recut and the upright of E in STATES just right of a cloud space. The BD-6 is very scarce in absolute terms, with a surviving population of 40-50 examples in all grades.
Die evidence suggests an extremely complicated emission sequence for this issue, as both dies were employed to strike several different varieties and two remarriages exist, with other varieties struck in between the pairings. The obverse die was first used to strike the BD-4 variety of this date, then it was used to strike the BD-5 issue for the first time, then combined with this reverse to strike the early state of the BD-6, then recombined with the BD-5 reverse to strike more coins of that variety, then remarried to this reverse to strike later state examples of the BD-6, then the reverse was used to strike the very rare 1800 BD-1 coins, and finally both dies were combined again to strike the final die state of the BD-6. This coin was probably struck very near the end of this remarkable sequence, as evidenced by the advanced state of both dies.
This impressive Select specimen exhibits strongly impressed design elements, but the reverse shows some loss of detail, due to lapping. This piece was struck from a late state of the dies, with an extensive network of die cracks and clash marks on both sides. The pleasing orange-gold surfaces are free of large or distracting contact marks, and no trace of planchet adjustment marks is evident. Vibrant mint luster adds to the outstanding overall eye appeal. Population (Small Reverse Stars): 9 in 63, 1 finer (9/16).
From The Hutchinson Collection.