1795 $5 Large Eagle MS62 PCGS. Breen-6422, BD-14, High R.6. ...

Description

Important 1795 Large Eagle Five, MS62
BD-14, High R.6

1795 $5 Large Eagle MS62 PCGS. Breen-6422, BD-14, High R.6. The obverse die has a narrow date with 179 closer than 95, and with star 1 joined to the left side of the low curl. The obverse die appeared earlier on the BD-7 die marriage with a Small Eagle reverse. The reverse has stars 3 and 4 widely spaced, with star 3 below the second T and star 4 below the final S in STATES. The reverse die was used for the unique 1795 BD-13 variety and this BD-14 variety. Both dies are lapped, and the reverse is cracked through ERICA.
The famous and rare 1795 Heraldic Eagle five dollar gold pieces were actually struck in 1797 or 1798, when the new reverse design was first introduced to the half eagle series. Three die varieties are known for the 1795 Heraldic Eagle pieces, utilizing three obverse dies and two reverse dies. The three obverse dies were used earlier in 1795 to produce Small Eagle coins. One of the reverse dies was also used for a 1797-dated Heraldic Eagle five with only one known example permanently in the Smithsonian Institution. Die state evidence proves that the 1795 half eagle was minted after the 1797 piece was struck.
For some unknown reason, most survivors are in high grade. The present example is tied for third finest of the variety and fifth finest of the date, based on our survey of all three varieties.
We have records of 14 different examples of BD-14, along with a single representative of BD-13, and 23 examples of BD-15. Probably a few additional examples of BD-14 and BD-15 are known, bringing the estimated population of those two varieties up to 20 and 30 pieces, respectively. Based on our survey of auction catalogs, we are aware of the following Mint State examples of the 1795 Heraldic Eagle fives:

1795 BD-13, B. 6-W, R.8.
1. MS62 PCGS. World's Greatest Collection (Numismatic Gallery, 1/1946), lot 318; Melish Collection (Abe Kosoff, 4/1956), lot 1836; Dr. Conway Bolt (Stack's, 4/1966), lot 893; Bowers and Merena (9/2001), lot 253; Stack's (6/2002), lot 65; James LaSarre; American Numismatic Rarities (1/2004), lot 452.

1795 BD-14, B. 5-W, High R.6
2. MS64 PCGS J.F. Bell (Stack's, 1944), lot 310; George H. Hall (Stack's, 5/1945), lot 1866; James A. Stack, Sr. (Stack's, 10/1994), lot 1032; Bowers and Merena (1/2003), lot 647.
3. MS63 Prooflike NGC Heritage (6/2004), lot 6240.
4. MS62 PCGS Heritage (3/2002), lot 17517. The present specimen.
5. MS62 PCGS Stack's (6/2008), lot 2054.
6. MS62 PCGS Stack's (1/2002), lot 1800; ANR (6/2005), lot 1010.
7. MS62 NGC Kreisberg and Schulman (2/1960), lot 2693; Kagin's (5/1978), lot 1062; RARCOA (8/1991), lot 970.

1795 BD-15, B. 7-X, High R.5
8. MS64 B. Max Mehl (5/1950), lot 323; Stack's (11/1955), lot 1195; Jimmy Hayes Collection; Auction '84 (Stack's, 7/1984), lot 1414; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation
9. MS63 NGC Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 331; Bowers and Merena (1/1990), lot 559; Superior (1/1996), lot 79. This coin was graded XF45 in the Eliasberg catalog with that grade repeated in the 1990 Bowers and Merena catalog
10. MS62 PCGS Heritage (1/2007), lot 3494.
11. MS62 PCGS Superior (3/2000), lot 810; Superior (2/2001), lot 4578.
12. MS61 PCGS Gilhousen Collection (Superior, 2/1973), lot 329; Harry W. Bass, Jr. (Bowers and Merena, 5/2000), lot 289.
13. MS61 NGC Goldberg Coins (2/2002), lot 1938.
14. MS61 NGC Long Beach Connoisseur (Bowers and Merena, 8/1999), lot 369.
15. MS60 Stack's (5/1956), lot 1818; Stack's (5/1965), lot 1279.

This Mint State piece has reflective fields with greenish-gold surfaces that show traces of light orange toning in the fields and pale blue patina on the devices. Both sides have minor marks and faint scratches that are consistent with the grade. Most noticeable are tiny dents near the first S in STATES that will provide a positive pedigree match. Well-blended scratches are faintly visible at the center of the reverse. The reflective fields suggest that this example was struck soon after the dies were lapped.
Ex: Heritage (3/2002), lot 17517.(Registry values: P7)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25NK, PCGS# 8075, GSID# 8792)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 8.75 grams
AGW: 0.25789oz
Mintage: 8,707

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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