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

Lot Number: 1040

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*1040

1808 $5 Close 5D, BD-3, R.4, AU58 PCGS. HBJ-240. This coin displays lovely straw-gold luster, with sharp details and no evidence of adjustment marks around the borders. The eye appeal is remarkably pleasing, as the surfaces are smooth and free of obtrusive abrasions.
Variety Equivalents: Adams-3, Breen 3-A, 4-A, Miller-105, 106, Bass-3114.
Obverse Die: The obverse die was used for both 1808 Normal Date varieties, BD-3 and BD-4.
Reverse Die: This reverse remained in service for four die combinations: 1807 BD-8, 1808 BD-1, 1808 BD-2, and 1808 BD-3.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/d: The obverse is considered perfect, though may show slight clash marks as described for obverse state b. The reverse is lapped, removing the clash marks from earlier appearances of that die.
PCGS Population Data (10/25): The four 1808 half eagle varieties include 52 that PCGS grades AU58, one graded AU58+, and 127 Mint State submissions.
Significant Examples: Several Mint State examples of 1808 BD-3 are known and were recorded in our roster published in our September 2022 Bass Core Collection sale.
Breen (1966): Three die pairs described in Breen's 1966 monograph represent two varieties, BD-3 and BD-4. Breen's description of variety 3-A was from the low-quality plate in RARCOA's April 1963 sale of the J.F. Bell Collection.
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "This variety marks the last use of this work-horse reverse and it likely has a terminal state, although only an early stage of State e had been observed. The obverse is paired with a new reverse to create the fourth and last variety for this date."
Heritage Commentary: The two 1808 normal date varieties share a common obverse die. The reverse die for BD-3 remained in use following three previous appearances as noted above. The reverse dies are easily differentiated by the position of the I in PLURIBUS that is below the upright of the E on this BD-3 variety and below the left base of the E on BD-4.
Doug Winter Commentary: Unless you wish to spend a lot more money, this example will work perfectly in a gold type set.
Provenance: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2015), lot 7035.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.

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