1795 $5 Small Eagle MS63 Prooflike NGC....

Description

The Bass 1795 BD-8 Half Eagle, MS63 Prooflike
Probably the Finest Known

1795 $5 Small Eagle MS63 Prooflike NGC. B-6416, BD-8, High R.5. Sometimes called a Small Date variety, due to the spacing of the date. The diagnostic identifier is found on the reverse, with only three berries in the wreath, that on the outside left below the center of the E in STATES. Both dies are perfect, apparently as always in this die marriage.
The BD-8 half eagle is a very special die marriage, because both the obverse die and the reverse die were used in 1798. The obverse die was one of two that were used in 1798 to coin the elusive 1795 Heraldic Eagle coins, and the reverse was used to coin the extremely rare 1798 Small Eagle half eagle. The obverse die was also used for two other Small Eagle marriages, BD-9 and BD-10.
A total of 12 die varieties are known for the 1795 Small Eagle fives, an exceptional number of varieties for a low mintage, estimated at about 13,000 coins. Just one of the die marriages, BD-3, is considered common. The rest are ranked as R.5 or higher. The original half eagle production was the result of eight obverse dies and nine reverse dies. In the case of this variety, struck from obverse 6 and reverse E, it is the first of four die marriages formed from the same obverse die.
Harry Bass acquired two examples of the variety, this coin and another that was retained by the Harry Bass Foundation. We believe that the present coin is actually marginally finer than the other, and is probably the finest known example of the die marriage. We currently have records of a dozen different examples, ranging down to XF40.
An impressive Mint State example with fully prooflike surfaces, both sides exhibit brilliant yellow luster with faint traces of pale green. A few faint hairlines and trivial abrasions prevent a higher grade. Three or four tiny lint marks are visible on the obverse. Slight adjustment marks at the center of the reverse result in weak details and the central obverse. The fields are deeply reflective, with slight cameo contrast evident on the obverse and reverse. Traces of strike doubling are evident, suggesting that it may have actually been struck twice in an effort to produce an especially attractive coin.
Ex: Bartle Collection (Stack's, 10/1984), lot 1110; Harry W. Bass, Jr. (Bowers and Merena, 10/1999), lot 715.(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: 0.25789oz
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.

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