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

Lot Number: 1024

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*1024

1802/1 $5 BD-6, High R.7, AU58 PCGS. HBJ-224. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. The present borderline-Uncirculated survivor displays pale copper-orange tones around the devices, while the surfaces are predominantly yellow-gold. Liberty's curls and the eagle's neck feathers are strong.
Variety Equivalents: Adams-7, Breen 2-G, Miller unlisted, Bass-3075.
Obverse Die: This is the second overdated obverse die that was used for BD-6, BD-7, and BD-7.
Reverse Die: The reverse die was used for 1802/1 BD-5 and BD-6.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/b: The obverse is perfect with no clashmarks, lapping, or die cracks. The reverse is cracked with a retained cud over AMER.
PCGS Population Data (10/25): The eight varieties of 1802/1 half eagles include 62 that PCGS grades AU58, four graded AU58+, and 118 finer examples. Among all of those submissions, more than 180 coins, this example is the lone BD-6 that they have examined.
Significant Examples: In its second appearance following our sale of the Bass Core Collection three years ago, this example is the only 1802/1 BD-6 half eagle that we have handled.
Breen (1966): Breen noted that his reverse die G is "very similar to reverse E" but was apparently unaware that they are the same die. He continued to observe: "The Newcomer piece, pictured in Adams, shows what looks like a crack thru tops of AMERI."
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): The 1802/1 BD-6 half eagle variety claims a surviving population of four to six coins, according to John Dannreuther, who writes: "The Bass coin is a late die state with all the above-mentioned cracks with the one above AMER(ICA) being a break; it is at the pre-cud stage, which likely formed soon after this coin was struck."
Heritage Commentary: We cataloged this coin three years ago and observed that the BD-6 is the rarest of the "high overdate" varieties from the second obverse die. Indeed, we believe that this is the rarest 1802/1 variety from either obverse die, slightly rarer than the BD-3 die marriage.
Doug Winter Commentary: Here's another variety you almost never see. What I find remarkable about this collection is that Harvey had the patience to wait for the right coin and when that coin came around, to pursue it relentlessly.
Provenance: ANA Sale (Stack's, 8/1971), lot 2112; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection (Heritage, 1/2023), lot 9027.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.

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