1795 $5 Small Eagle, BD-5, R.7 AU58 PCGS....

Description

1795 Small Eagle Five Dollar, BD-5, AU58
About 10 Coins Known, S Over D Variety
First Public Appearance Since 1968

1795 $5 Small Eagle, BD-5, R.7 AU58 PCGS. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a. Diagnostics for the variety include doubling on the tip of the 5 in the date, the tip of the 1 touching the lowest curl, and the final S in STATES punched over a clear underlying D. BD-5 is one of the rarest of 12 known die marriages for the first-year 1795 Small Eagle five dollar gold issue, which claims a mintage of only 8,707 coins. John Dannreuther estimates that eight to 12 pieces exist from a possible production of 300 to 600 coins from this die combination, tying it with BD-7. Only BD-11 is rarer with three to five coins known.

Although the Guide Book notes that "One variety has the final S in STATES punched over an erroneous D," BD-5 actually shares a reverse with BD-6. That variety is much more collectible with 60 to 80 pieces extant. The reverse die used for both BD-5 and BD-6 shows other signs of carelessness, including raised spikes from the dentils around the borders. That characteristic has led some to believe the die cutter was drunk at the time this reverse was produced. There is no evidence that the alcohol theory is true -- the work may simply have been accomplished in haste -- but it certainly adds to the appeal.

The Harry Bass Core Collection coin is a partly lustrous near-Mint example that Bass himself described as having "lustre evident at date, stars, and Liberty, and throughout the legend on reverse." Design definition is sharp at the centers, as it is around the borders. Yellow-gold surfaces exhibit scattered abrasions and a coppery alloy spot under the eagle's left (facing) wing.
Ex: ANA Sale (Able Kosoff, 8/1968), lot 933.
From The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part II.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 519854, Base PCGS# 8066, Greysheet# 198173)

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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