Auction Name: 2026 January 8 US Coins Signature Auction - FUN Special Sessions: Ellsworth & Jacobson

Lot Number: 1022

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*1022

1802/1 $5 BD-4, R.7, MS62 PCGS. CAC. HBJ-222. This sharply detailed Mint State example is CAC approved for its excellent aesthetic appeal. Hints of green appear on the light yellow-gold obverse that exhibits a slight cameo appearance. The honey-gold reverse displays lovely light orange toning. Trivial handling marks are consistent with the assigned grade.
Variety Equivalents: Adams unlisted, Breen 1-A, Miller-49, Bass missing.
Obverse Die: This overdated obverse die was used for BD-1, BD-2, BD-3, BD-4, and BD-5.
Reverse Die: This is the only use of the reverse die.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b: The obverse shows slight evidence of die lapping but no clash marks or die cracks. The reverse is cracked as Dannreuther describes.
PCGS Population Data (10/25): The eight varieties of 1802/1 half eagles include 35 that PCGS grades MS62, one graded MS62+, and 55 finer examples.
CAC Census (10/25): For all varieties, CAC has approved 11 submissions graded MS62 and nine finer examples.
Significant Examples: While a full roster of 1802/1 BD-4 half eagles is pending, the present piece is one of the finest known to us.
Breen (1966): Breen underrated this variety R.5 in his 1966 monograph, noting that "the perfect die is more often seen than the shattered die." His comments are interesting given that the variety eluded Harry Bass and is considered a rarity today.
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "This seems to be Reverse A described by Breen and at one time there were only two known, although Breen called this variety at R-5! There are now 10 to 12 examples known; more may possibly exist and may have been misidentified in the past. Since Breen knew of several examples of his 1-A, it must exist and this is the only real candidate among the varieties of 1802 that fits his description."
Heritage Commentary: We have offered a few examples of 1802/1 BD-4 in our past auctions, but the present piece is the first Mint State example that we have offered and is likely the finest known.
Doug Winter Commentary: Harry Bass had a huge advantage over Harvey Jacobson when it came to collecting circumstances. When Bass was really getting serious about gold varieties, coins were dirt cheap. Harvey never had a market in which he could buy coins for a few hundred dollars. His average entry point was at least $10,000---if not actually more. And that's why I think this collection is a remarkable achievement.
Provenance: Bowers and Merena (11/2008), lot 4457.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.

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