LOT #3183 |
Current Bid: $1,250
1802 $2 1/2 BD-1, R.4, MS63 PCGS....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
1802 BD-1 Quarter Eagle, MS63
Important Condition Census Example
1802 $2 1/2 BD-1, R.4, MS63 PCGS. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/b. Splashes of coppery-orange toning
enhance visually appealing green-gold surfaces. The central details
are sharper than usual, with the eagle's head strongly defined and
minimal weakness on the uppermost hair curls. Peripheral weakness
is related to the very slight planchet adjustment before this piece
was struck.There are three known 1802 quarter eagle varieties, although Walter Breen described four die marriages in his 1960s monograph. Breen describes the die crack from the first A to the feather for his variety 1 and also displays some features of his variety 3. However, Breen's descriptions for the two varieties were mostly inaccurate. He made no mention of the horizontal die line from the left shield corner into the wing for either variety 1 or 3, which is now the usual attribution feature for BD-1 and proves that Breen's two varieties are the same.
The obverse of BD-1 is also shared with the other two varieties of the year, and has traditionally been described as a 2 over 1 overdate. However, current numismatic scholarship suggests that this is not an accurate description, but that the 2 punch is defective instead. The reverse, most often attributed by the aforementioned die line, was also used for 1802 JR-3 and 1803 JR-2 dimes. The present example is from the earliest state of the dies. Typically described as a perfect obverse, this piece shows faint crumbling below the 18 in the date and elsewhere, perhaps a clue to the possible remarriage of these two dies. The reverse exhibits a delicate crack from the first A in AMERICA to the tip of the second feather.
The 1802 BD-1 quarter eagle is the most plentiful of three varieties, although all varieties are elusive in Mint State grades. This example from the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection is tied for the third finest of the variety behind two coins graded MS64. This is an excellent opportunity for the gold type collector or the variety aficionado. Population for all varieties: 8 in 63, 0 finer (11/25). Population for BD-1: 1 in 63, 1 finer (11/25).
A Roster of Significant Examples provided by Ron Guth of the Numismatic Detective Agency
1. MS64 PCGS. Lawrence C. Licht Collection (Stack's, 3/2005), lot 2074, $115,000; Paul Nugget, sold privately in 6/2005; D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part I (Stack's Bowers & Sotheby's, 5/2015), lot 1120, $211,500.
2. MS64 NGC. Pre-Long Beach (Goldberg Auctions, 6/2004), lot 2397, $50,600; Chicago ANA (Stack's Bowers, 8/2011), lot 7596, not sold.
3. MS63 PCGS. Abner Kreisberg Mail Bid Sale, 11/1972, lot 1080; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation Collection (HBCC# 3007)); The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part III / Central States Signature (Heritage, 5/2023), lot 4503. The present coin.
4. MS63 PCGS. Ohringer Family Trust Holdings, Part II (Goldberg Auctions, 9/2008), misattributed as a BD-3, lot 1223, $63,250.
5. MS63 NGC. FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 3385, $69,000; Larry Miller Collection (Stack's Bowers, 12/2020), lot 1113, $84,000.
6. Brilliant Uncirculated Uncertified. Public Auction (Stack's, 10/2006), lot 2029, $21,850.
7. MS62+ PCGS. Central States Signature (Heritage, 5/2024), lot 4525, $46,800.
8. MS62 PCGS CAC. FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4725, $43,125; Key Coin Collection (Heritage, 1/2020), lot 4327, $48,000; Naples Collection, Part I (Legend Rare Coin Auctions, 12/2021), lot 268, $64,625; The Perfection Collection / FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2024), lot 4301, $50,400.
9. MS62 PCGS. Pre-Long Beach (Goldberg Auctions, 1/2015), lot 1852, not sold; Chicago ANA (Stack's Bowers, 8/2015), lot 10176, $44,063.
10. MS62 PCGS. Andrew M. Hain Collection (Stack's Bowers, 8/2022), lot 7130, $43,200.
11. MS62 NGC. ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2007), lot 1820, $38,813; Tampa Bay Rarities (Stack's Bowers, 1/2011), lot 1329, not sold; Coins and Banknotes (Bonhams & Butterfield, 5/2011), lot 1177, $31,590.
Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 45506, Base PCGS# 7650, Greysheet# 213448)
Weight: 4.37 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.
Auction Info
2026 January 14 - 17 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction #1390 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
January
14th
Wednesday
5:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
January
14th-17th
Wednesday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
21 Days
41m 49s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
Lot Tracking Activity: 20
Page Views: 115
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 2 -
Signature® Floor Session - Platinum Session - II (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3177-3389) - 6:00 PM Central Time, Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
[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.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial