Auction Name: 2026 March 26 - 28 US Coins Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 3184

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/1391*3184

1808 $5 Close 5D, BD-3, R.4, MS61 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/e. Orange-gold and russet-gold regions are complemented with attractive silvery regions, and all overlay a yellow-gold base. Striking detail is exquisite, with full definition in Liberty's hair and the eagle's wing feathers. An old vertical nick on the cheek and several parallel scratches from the E in PLURIBUS to just below the eagle's beak merit mention for completeness, but not because they represent a distraction. The lines extending from Liberty's chin into the field, through the tops of the date, from the top of the eagle's head to the L in PLURIBUS, and through the denomination are clash marks and do not detract from the grade of this splendid half eagle. Rather, they mark the latest die state of this die marriage, State b/e.

The 1808 half eagle is the first full year of the Capped Bust Left design type. Four die marriages are known, with only the BD-1 being truly rare at Low R.6. The remaining three die marriages range from High R.3 to High R.4, with the present BD-3 being in the middle of the pack at R.4. It combines Bass-Dannreuther Obverse 3, the only non-overdated die of the year, with 1807 Reverse E, shared with the two 1808/7 die marriages as well as the 1807 BD-8, the most common half eagle die marriage. The present offering is a lovely and choice representative of the pairing.
From The Charles Collection.

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