1795 $5 Small Eagle MS60 NGC....

Description

Historic Mint State 1795 Half Eagle
Small Eagle Reverse, BD-1

1795 $5 Small Eagle MS60 NGC. BD-1, R.5. Two major design types are known for the half eagles with a 1795 date. This Small Eagle design was actually produced in 1795, whereas the Large or Heraldic Eagle design was backdated, and actually coined in 1798. There are 12 individual die varieties of the Small Eagle type, representing the earliest gold coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint. These 12 varieties were produced through various combinations of eight obverse dies and nine reverse dies.
When Walter Breen studied these coins in the 1960s, he assigned numbers 1 through 4 and letters A through D to the four obverse and reverse dies that he believed were first used by the Mint. Adjustments have been made to his sequence, and today, the Bass-Dannreuther reference notes that this was the very first half eagle variety produced in 1795, thus it is possibly the first U.S. gold coinage variety. On July 31, 1795, the chief coiner of the Mint delivered 744 half eagles to the Mint treasurer, and this example was probably among those pieces. Minor die cracks and die rust on both sides suggest that this is a later die state of the variety.
The surfaces are pleasing with attractive green-gold coloration. A minor scratch from Liberty's neck crosses the left obverse field to star 5, and this is the only readily apparent imperfection, aside from the usual abrasions that exist on nearly every known example. There is no trace of wear on either side, and the fields exhibit a slightly reflective appearance. This is a lovely example, and an extremely important opportunity for the half eagle specialist or the collector of historic coinage.
From The South Texas Collection.(Registry values: P5)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25ND, PCGS# 8066, Greysheet# 8791)

Weight: 8.75 grams

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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