LOT #3169 |
Current Bid: $55,000
1796/5 $5 BD-1, High R.4, MS64 NGC....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
1796/5 BD-1 Half Eagle, MS64
From the Famous 'Mr. 1796' Collection
High Condition Census
1796/5 $5 BD-1, High R.4, MS64 NGC. Bass-Dannreuther Die
State a/b. The obverse die shows no evidence of the late state
crack that John Dannreuther describes from the border below the 9
to the bottom of the 6. The reverse shows die lapping among leaves
in the wreath. This is the usual die state for the elusive 1796
half eagles.John W. Dannreuther suggests that the mintage of 1796-dated half eagles was between 1,057 and 2,000 coins, although that is uncertain. He further estimates that between 80 and 100 examples survive in all grades, a seemingly accurate figure. Mint records show a production of 18,512 half eagles between July 31, 1795 and August 28, 1797. Comparing mintage figures and estimated rarity rating for each variety, all half eagles minted in 1795 and 1796, a total of 14,903 coins, were likely dated 1795, while 2,219 half eagles struck between January 14 and May 2, 1797 were dated 1796, and the 1,390 struck between June 7 and August 28, 1797 were coins dated 1797.
This outstanding 1796 half eagle is two grade points finer than any other example that we have offered and ranks as the finest that has appeared in auction. We have no details of the sole MS65 certified piece reported below. Both sides feature highly lustrous and reflective honey-gold surfaces with reflective fields and a hint of cameo contrast. Trivial handling marks are evident on this sharply defined example with no evidence of the often-seen adjustment marks on the obverse and reverse.
Although the NGC Census indicates one finer example graded MS65, and two others equal to this example, it is our opinion that the piece offered here is the finest or second finest known. Our own census of top pieces appears below. NGC Census: 3 in 64, 1 finer (1/26).
MS65 NGC. Reported in the NGC Census.
MS64 NGC. John Whitney Walter (Mr. 1796) Collection (Stack's, 5/1999), lot 1794; Bowers and Merena (7/2002), lot 769; Stack's (6/2008), lot 2055; U.S. Coins Signature (Heritage, 10/2025), lot 3117, realized $252,000. The present specimen.
MS63 NGC Rick Springfield Collection (Stack's Bowers, 8/2025), lot 2014.
MS63 NGC. Guttag Brothers (11/1926); B. Max Mehl (6/1936), lot 455; Floyd Starr (Stack's, 10/1992), lot 1195; American Numismatic Rarities (3/2006), lot 1554.
MS62+ PCGS. Long Beach Sale (Paramount, 1974), lot 638; R.E. Naftzger, Jr. (Paramount, 1981 FPL); Auction '82 (Paramount, 8/1982), lot 1924; D. Brent Pogue Collection (Stack's Bowers, 9/2015), lot 2071.
MS62 PCGS. Superior (8/2004), lot 977.
MS62 NGC. Goldberg Auctions (2/2007), lot 2237.
MS62 NGC. Long Beach Connoisseur (Bowers and Merena, 8/1999), lot 730; Goldberg Auctions (2/2002), lot 1936; Goldberg Auctions (2/2003), lot 1990.
MS62 PCGS. Elmer S. Sears (1909); John H. Clapp; Clapp Estate (1942); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Eliasberg Estate (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 327; Pittsburgh Signature (Heritage, 10/2011), lot 4856; McCoy Family Collection of U.S. Early Gold (Heritage, 10/2018), lot 4336; Legend Rare Coin Auctions (12/2021), lot 272.
MS61 PCGS. Abner Kreisberg Sale (9/1971), lot 1014; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection/FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2023), lot 9020.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BFWU, Variety PCGS# 519862, Base PCGS# 8067, Greysheet# 394004)
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.
Auction Info
2026 March 26 - 28 US Coins Signature® Auction #1391 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
March
26th
Thursday
4:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
March
26th-28th
Thursday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
4 Days
16h 34m 11s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 49
Lot Tracking Activity: 70
Page Views: 2,718
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Premier Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3001-3316) - 5:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, March 26, 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 - Dallas
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