LOT #1001 |
Current Bid: $9,250
1795 $5 Small Eagle, BD-2, R.6 AU58 NGC....
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Description
1795 BD-2 Small Eagle Five, AU58
One of the Ten Finest Known
1795 $5 Small Eagle, BD-2, R.6 AU58 NGC. HBJ-201.
Minor lamination is evident behind Liberty's cap and hair on this
piece that exhibits faint scratches in the peripheral areas. Minor
adjustment marks are noted along the left reverse border. Lightly
worn on the high points, this example retains virtually full luster
on its slightly reflective light yellow-gold surfaces. This coin
possesses absolute rarity, intense historic interest, and strong
aesthetic appeal.Variety Equivalents: Adams-3, Mabbott-2, Breen 1-C, Hilt 4-B, Miller-3, Bass-3034. Variety equivalents, taken from the Bass-Dannreuther reference, are from the following sources:
Adams, Edgar H. Following earlier articles on ten dollar gold pieces, Adams cataloged early half eagle varieties from 1795 through 1803 in the September 1934, November 1934, December 1934, and March 1935 issues of Wayte Raymond's Coin Collectors Journal. Later Adams numbers are from his notes.
Mabbott, Thomas Ollive. "The Varieties of the Half Eagle of 1795." Stack's, Numismatic Review, July 1944, pp. 10-16.
Breen, Walter. "Early United States Half Eagles 1795-1838." Hewitt's Numismatic Information Series. Chicago: Hewitt Bros., 1966.
Hilt, Robert P., III. Die Varieties of Early United States Coins. Omaha: RTS Publishing Co., 1980.
Miller, Robert W., Sr. United States Half Eagle Gold Coins, 1795 to 1834. Elmwood Park, NJ: B.C. & C., 1997.
Bowers, Q. David. The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Museum Sylloge. Dallas: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation, 2001.
Obverse Die: The obverse die was used for BD-2, BD-3, and BD-4.
Reverse Die: This reverse die was previously used for BD-1.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/c: Aside from trivial lumps (sometimes labeled die rust or spalling) scattered about the obverse, the die shows no signs of clashing, cracking, or lapping. The reverse has spalling at the right top of the F. There is no other evidence of die deterioration. This is the only observed die state for the BD-2 half eagles.
NGC Census Data (10/25): For all 12 1795 Small Eagle varieties, NGC has certified 52 examples graded AU58, one in AU58+, and 66 numerically finer submissions.
Significant Examples: This example is tied for the fifth finest known. We have a record of just four Mint State coins and two others graded AU58. The finest is graded MS64 NGC and is a frequent visitor to our auctions, appearing six times since 2007.
Breen (1966): Walter Breen rated this variety as R-7 and wrote in 1966: "Specimens were in the Woodin and Col. Green collections, and a VF was lot 1648 of the 1956 N.Y. Metropolitan Convention sale. What may be the same coin appeared in Stack's sale of Dec. 11, 1964. Other records are lacking. Not in WGC or Melish; not even in Eliasberg. This variety like the 1793 cent Crosby 9-I, constitutes a 'freak muling' between dies otherwise readily available in other combinations."
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): In Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, A Study of Die States, 1795-1834, John W. Dannreuther estimates a production of 500 to 1,000 examples of this die pair, following the coinage of 750 to 1,500 examples of the first variety, BD-1. Comparing those figures to the Mint's delivery records suggests that these coins were likely struck in August 1795. Dannreuther's research efforts, using notes from Harry W. Bass, Jr., resolved much confusion among early gold issues. He estimates the survival of 20 to 25 examples of BD-2 in all grades.
Heritage Commentary: The Philadelphia Mint struck the first gold coins in 1795 including half eagles and eagles, all with the Small Eagle reverse design. Production of half eagles was a reported 8,707 coins with additional 1795-dated coins probably included in the reported mintage for 1796. The 1795-dated obverse dies were reused when the Heraldic Eagle reverse design appeared, likely in 1797. Twelve die pairs were used for the 1795 Small Eagle coinage, and three others were used for the Heraldic Eagle coins.
Doug Winter Commentary: If I were a wealthy gold coin specialist with a penchant for varieties, I would gravitate to the 1795 Small Eagle half eagle. With a total of 12 different known varieties, this is not an endeavor for the weak of heart. But with deep pockets and great patience, perhaps you will one day be able to join Harvey Jacobson in the pantheon of Great Early Gold Collectors.
Provenance: Recorded in our roster.
Roster of Significant Examples of 1795 BD-2:
1. MS64 NGC. Pre-Long Beach (Superior, 6/2002), lot 4782, not sold; Freedom Collection (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3491, $201,250.00; Houston Signature (Heritage, 12/2008), lot 1968, $172,500; Virginia Beach Collection (Heritage, 6/2011), lot 4616, $184,000; Philadelphia Signature (Heritage, 8/2012), lot 5339, $199,750; Warshaw Family Collection (Heritage, 1/2020), lot 4394, $180,000.
2. MS62 PCGS. Kagin's, sold privately 10/1/1977; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection (Heritage, 9/2022), lot 11026.
3. MS62 NGC. Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 5/2003), lot 6576, $40,250; Antigo Collection (Heritage, 8/2006), lot 5472, $86,250.
4. MS61 NGC. Medio/Da Costa Gomez Collections (Stack's/American Numismatic Rarities, 6/2004), lot 1391, $48,300; Brandywine Collection (Stack's Bowers, 11/2011), lot 9440, $74,750.
5. AU58 PCGS. Blue Moon Collection, Part I (Stack's Bowers, 3/2017), lot 2309, $54,050.
6. AU58 NGC. Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 6/2012), lot 4963; Chicago ANA (Stack's Bowers, 8/2013), lot 4469, $52,875. The present specimen.
7. AU55+ NGC. Robert P. Hilt, II Collection; Liberty USA Collection (Heritage, 1/2015), lot 4272, $42,300.
8. AU55 NGC. Donald E. Bently Collection (Heritage, 1/2014), lot 5407, $38,188.
9. AU55 NGC. Medio/Da Costa Gomez Collections (Stack's/American Numismatic Rarities, 6/2004), lot 3198, $26,450; Rarities Sale (Stack's Bowers, 8/2016), lot 3240, $42,300.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.
Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 519851, Base PCGS# 8066, Greysheet# 198164)
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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Auction Info
2026 January 8 US Coins Signature Auction - FUN Special Sessions: Ellsworth & Jacobson #1389 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
January
8th
Thursday
3:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
January
8th
Thursday
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6 Days
11h 48m 30s
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Signature® Floor Session - Platinum Session - The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 1001-1068) - 4:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, January 8, 2026 (5:00 PM Eastern Time).
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
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Additional Location Info:
Orange County Convention Center
North/South Building
9400 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
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