Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Early Half Eagles
1808 $5 Wide 5D, BD-4, High R.3, MS61 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b, unlisted. Die pair BD-8 features 5D. widely spaced. The reverse is extensively clashed with a full outline of Liberty's portrait visible, making this of considerable interest to the specialist. Surprisingly, no mention of this late die state is made in Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, which explains that coins "seem to be found in just a single die state, despite the fact that as many as 20,000 were produced." The same reverse was later used to strike the 1809/8 half eagles, but even in their earliest state those coins do not show the bold clashing seen here, suggesting the reverse die was lapped prior to its reuse the following year. While this variety is relatively accessible compared to other die pairs for the date, all examples are scarce, particularly in Uncirculated grades.
The obverse is uniformly strong, and the reverse is well-defined with softness over the talons and fletchings. Each side offers a blend of shimmering luster and straw-gold color with occasional lavender accents. A couple of ticks near Liberty's eye and another in the left reverse field are the sole pedigree markers. Population: 18 in 61, 64 finer (10/16).
From The Hutchinson Collection.
1808 $5 Wide 5D, BD-4, High R.3, MS61 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b, unlisted. Die pair BD-8 features 5D. widely spaced. The reverse is extensively clashed with a full outline of Liberty's portrait visible, making this of considerable interest to the specialist. Surprisingly, no mention of this late die state is made in Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, which explains that coins "seem to be found in just a single die state, despite the fact that as many as 20,000 were produced." The same reverse was later used to strike the 1809/8 half eagles, but even in their earliest state those coins do not show the bold clashing seen here, suggesting the reverse die was lapped prior to its reuse the following year. While this variety is relatively accessible compared to other die pairs for the date, all examples are scarce, particularly in Uncirculated grades.
The obverse is uniformly strong, and the reverse is well-defined with softness over the talons and fletchings. Each side offers a blend of shimmering luster and straw-gold color with occasional lavender accents. A couple of ticks near Liberty's eye and another in the left reverse field are the sole pedigree markers. Population: 18 in 61, 64 finer (10/16).
From The Hutchinson Collection.