1795 $5 Small Eagle MS62 NGC. Breen-6413, BD-4, R.5....

Description

1795 Small Eagle Half Eagle, MS62
Sought-After BD-4 Variety
First-Year Type Coin

1795 $5 Small Eagle MS62 NGC. Breen-6413, BD-4, R.5. Ex: Caleb Louis Collection. The 1795 Capped Bust, Small Eagle half eagle was the first gold coin struck under U.S. federal authority, with a reported mintage of 8,707 pieces. There are 12 varieties of 1795 Small Eagle half eagles known to numismatists today, with another three varieties of the date employing the Heraldic Eagle design. The Heraldic Eagle coins were probably struck in 1798, using leftover dies from 1795. The present coin is an example of the BD-4 Small Eagle die marriage, identified by the position of star 11 overlapping the Y in LIBERTY and the three berries in the wreath. John Dannreuther estimates the original mintage of BD-4 as 1,000-1,500 pieces, with a surviving population of 60-75 examples in all grades. Coins of the BD-4 variety are certainly rare in the absolute sense, but the variety is actually one of the most often encountered marriages of 1795 half eagles.
The present coin is a pleasing Mint State specimen of this rare variety. The bright greenish-gold surfaces display ample, satiny mint luster. A few short adjustment marks are visible at the reverse rim, near ED of UNITED. The surfaces exhibit the usual number of minor handling marks for the grade, none worthy of individual mention. The striking details are a little soft on the eagle and the obverse stars, but other devices are crisply defined. This coin is from Obverse State d, as it shows the diagnostic crack from the obverse edge to star 12. The coin offered here should have strong appeal to type collectors and early-gold specialists alike. We expect spirited bidding when this lot is called. Census: 22 in 62, 19 finer (6/10).
From The Caleb Louis Collection of U.S. Gold Type.(Registry values: P5)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25ND, PCGS# 8066, GSID# 8791)

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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