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Description

Sparkling MS64 1812 Five Dollar

1812 $5 MS64 PCGS. Wide 5 D. B. 1-B, Miller-118, R.3. Capped Bust Left half eagles are among the most elusive of all U.S. coins. These coins were struck at a time when the bullion content of U.S. gold and silver coins exceeded their face value, thus encouraging melting. While many coins of this type were forever lost due to melting, the situation worsened in subsequent decades, making the next design (Capped Head Left) arguably the rarest gold type coin in U.S. numismatics. This situation continued until, after much debate, Congress remedied the problem by slightly reducing the gold content in quarter eagles and half eagles in 1834. The Capped Bust Left type is occasionally available at public auction, and sometimes even in high grades, such as this piece.
This is a luminous and nearly unblemished MS64 example of this coveted early gold type. The strike is essentially full throughout the obverse, while the reverse strike shows only slight softness near the PL in PLURIBUS and the right border of the left (facing) wing. Minor, mint-made adjustment marks are noted on the reverse border near 4 and 10 o'clock, and to the left of the horizontal shield lines. What appears, at first glance, to be an abrasion within the shield is actually a die scratch of mint origin and is, in fact, present on all examples of Breen 1-B. A second die scratch extends from the rim at 2 o'clock to the wing. Population: 38 in 64, 5 finer (6/07).
From The Julian Collection.(Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25PL, PCGS# 8112, GSID# 8817)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 8.75 grams
AGW: 0.28oz
Mintage: 58,087


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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Auction Info

Auction Dates
August, 2007
8th-10th Wednesday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 12
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 491

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
15% of the successful bid per lot.

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