1795 $5 Small Eagle AU50 PCGS. BD-4, R.5....

Description

1795 Capped Bust Right Five, AU50
First U.S. Gold Issue
Rare BD-4 Variety

1795 $5 Small Eagle AU50 PCGS. BD-4, R.5. The 1795 half eagles were the first gold coins produced by the United States, and the Philadelphia Mint struck all 8,707 pieces of the reported mintage by September 16 of that year. The public saved many 1795 half eagles as souvenirs. Despite its low mintage, this issue required seven obverse and nine reverse dies. At least two of those dies survived beyond the year, and were later used to produce the famous 1796/5 and 1797/5 varieties.
This coin represents the very scarce BD-4 variety, which probably accounted for 1,000-1,500 pieces of the reported mintage. Some of the diagnostics for the BD-4 are: the tip of 5 in the date barely overlaps the drapery above; the upper point of obverse star 11 extends onto the Y in LIBERTY; the lower two points of star 11 intersect the upper two points of star 12; a die crack at star 12 to the rim; and only three berries on the reverse wreath. John Dannreuther estimates a surviving population of just 60-75 examples of the BD-1 in all grades.
Robert Scot designed both sides of this initial half eagle design. Liberty faces right and wears a conical cap or hat on the obverse. She is surrounded by peripheral devices that include the date, 15 stars (ten to the left side, five to the right), and the word LIBERTY. On the reverse, an eagle perches on a palm branch with nine leaves, and clutches a circular wreath in its beak, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery. This AU example displays generally well made devices and modestly reflective fields. While the obverse features are crisply defined, the reverse shows obvious striking weakness on the eagle's neck, breast, and leg feathers. There are numerous wispy marks and hairlines on both the obverse and the reverse, as well as a couple of moderate blemishes on the upper reverse, and a heavy abrasion in the left obverse field. Rich green-gold and peach patina adorns each side of this highly attractive survivor.
Ex: Milwaukee ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2007), lot 1893, realized $36,800.(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.

View Certification Details from PCGS