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

Lot Number: 1048

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1389*1048

1812 $5 Narrow 5D, BD-2, High R.4, MS65 PCGS. CAC. HBJ-248. This exceptional Gem Mint State half eagle boasts brilliant and frosty wheat-gold luster that presents impressive eye appeal. A well-centered strike offers excellent design definition. Slight adjustment marks are noted along the left reverse border and across the shield.
Variety Equivalents: Adams-2, Breen 1-A, Miller-117, Bass-3123.
Obverse Die: A single obverse die was used for both 1812 varieties.
Reverse Die: The normal or close 5D reverse is unique to the 1812 BD-2 half eagles.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b: Faint clash marks are noted on Liberty's neck. The reverse also shows delicate clash marks.
PCGS Population Data (10/25): For both 1812 varieties, PCGS has certified five examples in MS65 and one in MS65+ with none finer.
CAC Census (10/25): This is one of just three 1812 half eagles graded MS65 that CAC has approved with a single finer coin approved at the MS66 grade level.
Breen (1966): Like the 1811 half eagles, Breen correctly described the two 1812 half eagle varieties as the Close 5D offered here, and the more plentiful Wide 5D variant; his rarity estimates were accurate. He wrote about his 1-A die marriage: "Earlier thought commoner, but auction records are too infrequent to support that conclusion."
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "This scarce variety is unappreciated, as the date is quite available and little attention has been paid to this combination. Major varieties, when scarce, sometimes bring many multiples of their common brothers, but when the differences are minor, the price differences are minimal."
Heritage Commentary: The Heritage Permanent Auction Archives that tracks auction appearances in our sales since 1993, indicates that slightly less than 20% of 1812 half eagles are from this die combination. While a sufficient supply exists to remove this variety from the rarity category, it remains an important variant for the date and type.
Doug Winter Commentary: Wow! WHAT A COIN!! Given the task at hand, you don't expect to see gems in a collection such as this. But here is among the nicest 1812 half eagles in existence and a true condition rarity in this grade.
Provenance: Purchased privately on June 20, 2018.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.

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