1795 $5 Small Eagle--Mount Removed--NCS. AU50 Details. S over D, Breen-6414, BD-5, R.7. The top of the 1 touches the lowest...

Description

R.7 1795 Small Eagle, Rare S/D Variant, BD-5

1795 $5 Small Eagle--Mount Removed--NCS. AU50 Details. S over D, Breen-6414, BD-5, R.7. The top of the 1 touches the lowest hair curl, and the top of the 5 is double punched and grazes the bottom of the bust. The date is wide and evenly spaced. On the reverse, the last S in STATES is punched over an obvious D underneath. Bass-Dannreuther estimates that only perhaps eight to 12 pieces of this extremely rare Guide Book variety exist today, with four auction appearances from 1990 to 2005. While the S/D reverse was reused on the BD-6 1795 variety, an R.5, this is the single use of this obverse, which was retired for some reason--or reached a terminal die state that is unknown among the few present-day examples. (Some of the dentils show extra "scoop marks" at their bottoms, leading John Dannreuther to speculate about a drunken Mint worker.)
While the mount removal is evident especially on the reverse, where a small indentation is noted about 7 o'clock, and correspondingly at 1 o'clock on the obverse there is a small spot of dark toning, the overall appearance of this coin is highly pleasing. A few contact marks and abrasions are consistent with the details grade (as well as jewelry use), but the coin appears not to have been otherwise "messed with." Expect bold bidding on this piece, which is a representative of the nation's first gold coin. The chance to obtain another example may not soon recur.(Registry values: P5)

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

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 8.75 grams
AGW: 0.28oz
Mintage: 8,707

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.