1802/1 $5 MS64 NGC....

Description

Exuberant Near-Gem 1802/1 Half Eagle, BD-8

1802/1 $5 MS64 NGC. Breen-6440, BD-8, R.4. Although often called Left Overdate, Bass-Dannreuther calls this one of the High Overdate varieties, as distinguished from the Centered Overdate varieties of this year. It is true that the 2 is high and touches the bust; it is also true that the 1 underdigit is to the left of the final overpunched 2. The stars are arranged 8 and 5, and stars 1, 8, 9, and 13, respectively, are away from the curl, cap, Y and bust. All stars are, however, fairly close together, particularly the right-side stars, all pairs of which nearly touch. In this marriage the reverse has perfect T's and the last S in STATES is over the far right of a cloud.
For early gold in general and for the eight known 1802/1 varieties in particular--several of which are extremely rare, R.7 or thereabouts--this variety is among the most common, and it one of which Harry Bass owned eight examples! It is the most common of the three High Overdate varieties (BD-6 through BD-8).
Exuberant yellow-gold surfaces complement the radiant luster emanating from both sides of this lovely near-Gem example. Scarcely any distractions are visible to the naked eye, and the bold strike is obvious even without a loupe. A couple of faint contact marks in the obverse fields are visible, but scarcely worthy of mention. A faint triangular mark near Liberty's jawbone is evidence of die clashing from the reverse, at the bottom juncture of the scroll with the right (facing) side of the eagle's neck. On the reverse, faint adjustment marks appear under a loupe through the lower shield, the left (facing) claw, the arrows, and UN of UNITED. (Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25NX, PCGS# 8083, GSID# 8872)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 8.75 grams
AGW: 0.25789oz
Mintage: 53,176

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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