1806 $5 Round Top 6, 7x6 Stars MS64 NGC....

Description

Conditionally Elusive 1806 Round Top 6 Half Eagle, BD-6, MS64

1806 $5 Round Top 6, 7x6 Stars MS64 NGC. Breen-6448, BD-6, R.2. Bass-Dannreuther Obverse State d/Reverse State This is not only the most available die variety for 1806, it is also the most available Draped Bust, Large Eagle variety of any date. There were six varieties produced for the year, of which the five Pointed 6 variants range from R.4 to R.7, while this single Knobbed 6 variety is estimated at R.2, with 600-900 pieces known, according to the Bass-Dannreuther Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties 1795-1834. John Dannreuther estimates that of the total mintage of 64,000 pieces for this year, 35,000 to 50,000 of them were of this variety. The Knobbed 6 obverse is also the first to show the rearrangement from 8+5 stars to 7+6 stars.
This coin appears quite late in the life of both obverse and reverse dies, although the "elucidation" of those die states in the Bass-Dannreuther reference is fairly unclear. On the obverse, a rust lump appears on the upright of the R of LIBERTY, and the bottom curls of hair are thin from clashing and lapping in that area. On the reverse bold die clashing appears on the lower shield from Liberty's turban and forecurl, and other clashes appear in the left stars and clouds. A crack from the N in UNITED runs through the arrowheads, and another crack runs into the field below I(TED) from the eagle's left wing.
Although this variety is a common one for early gold, this coin is far from common in either its state of preservation or its appeal. Radiant luster emanates from the apricot-gold surfaces tinged with greenish-gold, and extensive perusal is required to locate even the faintest scrapes near the reverse rim. A small patch of adjustment marks at 9 o'clock on the obverse is completely undistracting, and the continuation of those adjustment marks into the left field and hair is scarcely seen without magnification. As further testimony to this piece's conditional rarity, it is one of 14 so graded at NGC, exceeded only by a single MS65 at that service.(Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25P5, PCGS# 8089, Greysheet# 8806)

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.

View Certification Details from NGC