1813 $5 MS65 NGC. Breen-6467, BD-1, R.2....

Description

1813 Half Eagle, BD-1, MS65
Fabulous, Swirling Mint Luster
None Finer at NGC

1813 $5 MS65 NGC. Breen-6467, BD-1, R.2. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a. The BD-1 die pairing seems to have produced the lion's share of half eagles for this year, as only two marriages are known and the BD-2's rarity clocks in at R.4. Bass-Dannreuther estimate that the split is somewhere around 70:30 to 80:20 in favor of the BD-1, out of the total mintage exceeding 95,000 coins for the year.
The two varieties share a common obverse, with different reverses. On the BD-1 reverse, the first S in STATES is positioned over the right side of the E on the scroll below. The D in the denomination 5 D. appears to lean left in relation to the 5. The middle arrow points to the left side of the foot of the upright of R, while the lowest arrow points to the center of I.
Although the mintage of the 1813 half eagles is about that of the 1810 and 1811 issues, it appears likely that more of the 1813 fives were saved due to the changeover from the Capped Bust to Left design to the Capped Head to Left style -- to use the Guide Book terminology. This is a fortunate circumstance, as the date and the BD-1 variety serve as excellent stand-ins for the type, among the most challenging in all of American numismatics.
Clearly, this piece is struck from fresh dies early in their useful life, another serendipity. Fabulous, swirling mint luster rolls around both sides, complementing rich orange-gold color interspersed with faint lilac accents. The strike is sharp overall, with minor softness on the eagle's left (facing) wing, an area that also displays shallow roller marks. The only mentionable abrasion is between stars 11 and 12. Census: 5 in 65, 0 finer (2/11).(Registry values: P2)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25PM, PCGS# 8116, Greysheet# 8818)

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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