1796/5 $5 BD-1, High R.4, MS61 PCGS....

Description

1796/5 BD-1 Half Eagle, MS61
Guide Book Overdate
About 100 Coins Extant

1796/5 $5 BD-1, High R.4, MS61 PCGS. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/c. The official reported mintage of 1796 half eagles, all of which feature the 6 punched over an underlying 5, stands at 6,196 coins. However, writing in Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties (2006), John Dannreuther suggests that only 1,057 to 2,000 pieces were actually struck and provides the following commentary on the issue's survivorship:

"Although the mintage figures reported for the year 1796 undoubtedly contained coins dated 1795, there may be as many as 100 extant for this year."


The lower range for the surviving population is about 75 coins. PCGS reports 33 problem-free grading events for the issue. All but six of them are in circulated grades, namely XF45 through AU58. In Uncirculated, PCGS lists the Harry Bass Core Collection coin in MS61, offered here, another MS61, two in MS62, one in MS62+ (ex: Pogue), and one in MS63 (10/22). There may very well be some duplication within those figures, but, to be sure, the 1796/5 half eagle is decidedly rare as it is in Mint State.

This impressive, well-pedigree representative showcases orange-gold color with faint green-gold accents. Minor strike softness is limited to the centers, while the outer stars, date, and legends on the reverse exhibit bold detail. That side also shows as-made adjustment marks around the rim and over the eagle's breast. Scattered post-production marks and hairlines are also present on each side, and the reverse has a small pinscratch through the final A in AMERICA. Struck-through lint marks also occur on that side.
Ex: Abner Kreisberg Sale (9/1971), lot 1014.
From The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part II.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BFWU, Variety PCGS# 519862, Base PCGS# 8067)

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.

View Certification Details from PCGS