LOT #1012 |
Current Bid: $3,100
1798 $5 Large Eagle, Large 8, 13 Stars Reverse, BD-5, High R.5, MS61 NGC....
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Description
1798 BD-5 Half Eagle, MS61
Large 8, 13 Stars Reverse
Terminal Die State
1798 $5 Large Eagle, Large 8, 13 Stars Reverse, BD-5, High R.5,
MS61 NGC. HBJ-102; HBJ-212. Both sides are brilliant and
lustrous with faint green overtones. A few scattered marks and
trivial toning spots are evident on each side.Variety Equivalents: Adams-6, Breen 3-E, Miller-28, Bass-3056.
Obverse Die: The obverse makes no other appearances in the early half eagle series.
Reverse Die: Following its use here, the reverse reappears on 1799 BD-2.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b: The terminal die state with a prominent obverse die crack from star 7 to the back of the head, and another down to the right from the E in LIBERTY.
NGC Census Data (10/25): Considering all varieties and all grades, NGC has examined 266 1798 Heraldic Eagle half eagles. That census includes 14 submissions graded MS61 and 20 finer examples. The Large 8, 13 Stars Reverse subset includes seven graded MS61 and 10 finer examples.
Significant Examples: The Jacobson Collection example is the fifth finest with five other Mint State pieces recorded in our roster.
Breen (1966): Breen rated this variety R.7 and wrote: "This one is a definite sleeper. Aside from the Adams plate coin and Gaylord 282, I have not seen another in many years, nor are other auction records available."
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "This is another early half eagle variety that is very scarce, one that many would consider rare, with a few more than two dozen coins extant. The obverse must have failed rather quickly ... and the reverse is paired with a 1799 obverse to create BD-2 of that date; it is found in a very late state in that pairing. Since the reverse seems to have not had much use here, the problems it develops must have been with its 1799 use."
Heritage Commentary: The seven 1798 Heraldic Eagle varieties, ranked in order of auction appearances in our Permanent Auction Archives are: BD-7 (6); BD-8 (23); BD-3 (29); BD-5 (31); BD-6 (34); BD-2 (41); BD-4 (65).
Doug Winter Commentary: Did someone say "die cracks?' because if you like 'em, this terminal die state is really going to appeal to you, Nice coin for the grade as well...
Provenance: Recorded below as the fifth finest.
Roster of Significant 1798 BD-5 Half Eagles
1. MS64+ PCGS. Joe Flynn, Sr. Coin Co., sold privately on 8/27/1973; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection (Heritage, 5/2023), lot 4538.
2. Brilliant Uncirculated Uncertified. Luck and Leonard Collections (B. Max Mehl, 12/1930), lot 334; Alto Collection (Stack's, 12/1970), lot 115; 50th Anniversary Sale (Stack's, 10/1985), lot 515; Crimson Collection (Stack's, 3/2006), lot 2030, $34,500.
3. MS62 PCGS CAC. Oliver Collection (Heritage, 8/2011), lot 7506, $51,750; Naples Collection, Part II (Legend Rare Coin Auctions, 1/2022), lot 209, $64,625.
4. MS62 NGC. Decatur Sale (Stack's, 8/2008), lot 2417, $50,600.
5. MS61 NGC. Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4656, $27,600; Poulos Family Collection, Part II (Heritage, 9/2019), lot 4900, $26,400. The present specimen.
6. MS60 PCGS. Robert P. Hilt, II Collection; Liberty USA Collection (Heritage, 1/2015), lot 4284, $19,975; Baltimore Sale (Stack's Bowers, 11/2015), lot 20107, $19,975.
7. AU55 PCGS. Dr. James A. Ferrendelli Collection (Stack's Bowers, 8/2014), lot 11066, $21,150.
8. AU55 PCGS. FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4841, $14,950; Chicago ANA (Stack's Bowers, 8/2015), lot 10238, not sold.
9. AU55 PCGS. Lake Michigan and Springdale Collections (American Numismatic Rarities, 6/2006), lot 2522, $17,250.
10. AU55 PCGS. Orlando Signature (Heritage, 7/2013), lot 3346, $22,325.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.
Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 507325, Base PCGS# 8078, Greysheet# 226373)
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 January 8 US Coins Signature Auction - FUN Special Sessions: Ellsworth & Jacobson #1389 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
January
8th
Thursday
3:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
January
8th
Thursday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
13 Days
10h 6m 1s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
Lot Tracking Activity: 22
Page Views: 157
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session - Platinum Session - The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 1001-1068) - 4:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, January 8, 2026 (5:00 PM Eastern Time).
[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:
Orange County Convention Center
North/South Building
9400 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
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