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

Lot Number: 1036

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*1036

1807 $5 Bust Right, Large Reverse Stars, BD-3, High R.5, MS62 PCGS. HBJ-236. Both sides display frosty yellow-gold luster with a solitary splash of orange toning at the upper left reverse. A short lint mark connects the drapery to the border right of the date. The reverse has vertical adjustment marks across the eagle's head and breast.
Variety Equivalents: Adams-6, Breen 2-B, Miller-87, Bass-3105.
Obverse Die: The obverse die appears here and was reused for BD-4.
Reverse Die: The reverse was used earlier for BD-2 and continued in use for this variety.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/c: Both dies show prominent clash marks.
PCGS Population Data (10/25): All six 1807 Draped Bust varieties include 32 that PCGS grades MS62, two graded MS62+, and 53 finer examples.
Significant Examples: A detailed roster of 1807 BD-3 half eagles is unavailable, although Mint State examples are seldom encountered. This example from the Jacobson Collection is tied with the Bass coin and one other MS62 example for the finest that we have handled.
Breen (1966): Unlike the confused half eagle issues of 1804 through 1806, Breen correctly identified the 1807 Bust Right varieties, in the same order of die marriages that are known today. Breen recorded two examples: WGC 348 and Melish 1903.
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "[A] distinctive feature for this obverse is the die gouge (as Bass believed) or break (as some have speculated) at the right foot of R in LIBERTY. This lump is noticeable even in the lower grades occasionally seen for the early half eagles. Since the half eagles were used in commerce to a much greater degree than either the quarter eagles of eagles, more lower grade circulated examples are found."
Heritage Commentary: Utilizing the notes of Harry W. Bass, Jr., John W. Dannreuther identifies six varieties of the 1807 Draped Bust Right half eagles. While Robert W. Miller, Sr., recorded seven varieties, his last two of proven to be the same variety. All others correspond with the current BD varieties.
Doug Winter Commentary: The 1807 is a very interesting issue. It represents a transitional year in which the old Robert Scot half eagle design was phased out and replaced by John Reich's reimagined one. The 1807 Draped Bust is scarcer than people realize and with six different die varieties available, it might make an interesting mini-set. Or, do a two coin set with a Small Reverse Stars coin (BD-1) paired with a Large Reverse Stars (BD-2 through BD-6).
Provenance: American Numismatic Rarities (1/2005), lot 930.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.

Include Thumbnail(s)