1795 $5 Small Eagle--Improperly Cleaned--NGC Details. AU. Breen-6413, BD-4, R.5....

Description

1795 Half Eagle, AU Details
Small Eagle, Scarce BD-4

1795 $5 Small Eagle--Improperly Cleaned--NGC Details. AU. Breen-6413, BD-4, R.5. The Philadelphia Mint issued gold coinage for the first time in 1795, and a small mintage of 8,707 half eagles was achieved. There are two reverse design motifs used on coins dated 1795, the Small Eagle and Heraldic Eagle designs, but the Heraldic Eagle coins were probably struck after 1797, employing left over obverse dies from 1795. There are 12 die varieties known for the 1795 Small Eagle half eagle, with this coin representing the very scarce BD-4 variety, identified by the position of star 11 overlapping the Y in LIBERTY on the obverse, and the presence of only three berries in the wreath on the reverse. John Dannreuther estimates the BD-4 variety accounts for 1,000-1,500 pieces of the reported mintage, with 60-75 specimens extant today.
The present coin is a well detailed example, with only light wear evident on the high points of the devices. The surfaces are bright from the noted cleaning, but the light greenish-gold fields remain appealing.
From The Rick Johnson Collection.(Registry values: P5)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25ND, PCGS# 8066, Greysheet# 8791)

Weight: 8.75 grams

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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