1795 $5 Small Eagle, S Over D, BD-6, R.5, AU55 PCGS....

Description

1795 Small Eagle Five Dollar, BD-6, AU55
Eye-Appealing S Over D Variety

1795 $5 Small Eagle, S Over D, BD-6, R.5, AU55 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/d. This is the terminal die state for BD-6, with a die crack through the bust and the advanced state of the die crack over IB in LIBERTY, along with fine die cracks on the reverse. The BD-6 die marriage of the 1795 half eagle is attributed on the obverse by the flag of 5 being halfway over the drapery and the tip of 1 is free of curl, while the reverse Key Identifier is the last S of STATES over a previously punched D. This is a rare and popular variety because of the overpunched lettering to correct a spelling error, and also because of the long spikes from the dentils on both dies. The spikes are slips from the graver tool while engraving the dentils. These engraving slips serve to prove an important point, that dentils were finished by engraving, rather than by using only a punch to form the dentils.

This spectacular coin is the first year of issue for the half eagle gold, along with being the first gold denomination struck by the United States Mint, with the commencing delivery per Warrant 1 on July 31, 1795. The initial Small Eagle type is always highly sought after, a glorious design by Chief Engraver Robert Scot that illustrated the victory and independence of the United States. The obverse engraving of Miss Liberty was also a creative design that was the first United States Mint coin to include an elegant drapery, inspired by the Neoclassical art movement of the time period, and skillfully engraved by Scot.

This eye-appealing specimen has rich orange-gold toning blanketing the surfaces on both sides. The fields are slightly reflective in texture, while the devices have satiny luster, including the central designs of the portrait and eagle. The luster is seen illuminating from the hair curls and eagle feathers as shimmering radiance. There are some small marks as to be expected from the coin's brief time circulating in commerce, but none of them are obtrusive or distracting. The strike is full, with crisply pointed stars, defined hair curls, well-formed eagle feathers including breast feathers. Overall, a remarkable example of the great Draped Bust, Small Eagle five dollar gold.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25ND, Variety PCGS# 519855, Base PCGS# 8066, Greysheet# 198174)

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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