LOT #1020 |
Current Bid: $1,000
1802/1 $5 BD-3, R.7, AU53 NGC....
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Description
1802/1 BD-3 Half Eagle, AU53
Diagnostic Reverse Die Chip
1802/1 $5 BD-3, R.7, AU53 NGC. HBJ-220. The surfaces
have pleasing yellow color with faint green tendencies. This
attractive AU example displays faint hairlines that limit the
grade.Variety Equivalents: Adams unlisted, Breen (new varieties) 1-J, Miller-48, Bass-3074.
Obverse Die: This overdated obverse die was used for BD-1, BD-2, BD-3, BD-4, and BD-5.
Reverse Die: This is the only use of the reverse die.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b: The obverse has an extremely small rim break that joins two dentils over star 7. This feature is evident on the present coin and the Dannreuther plate coin. The same characteristic is visible on the Dannreuther plate coins for his BD-1, BD-2, and BD-5 varieties, but is not present on his BD-4 variety. That suggests that BD-4 was the first 1802/1 half eagle coined from the centered overdate obverse. It was followed by the others, including this BD-3 variety. As much as we study these numismatic rarities, there remains more to learn.
NGC Census Data (10/25): For all varieties, NGC has certified 18 submissions graded AU53 and 255 finer examples. Like most, this piece was not submitted for attribution.
Significant Examples: We have records of eight different examples of the 1802/1 BD-3 half eagle, and a few others may exist. The Jacobson Collection coin is the fourth finest and one of four that are numerically certified. Even the finest known Bass Collection coin carries a details grade.
Breen Commentary (New Varieties): Marvin Taichert discovered this variety that Walter Breen recorded in his undated "New Varieties" supplement: "New Varieties of $1, $2.50 and $5.00 United States Gold" that was part of Hewitt's Numismatic Information Series.
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): Although Dannreuther estimated that three to five are known, he wrote: "The Bass and Taichert examples are currently the only two specimens of this variety known to the author, although the Newcomer coin may be a third example, if it is not one of these two coins."
Heritage Commentary: The small oblong die chip over star 10 on the reverse instantly identifies the variety. As it is clearly visible without magnification, it seems that more of these would be identified if they existed. We expect the population will remain small in the future.
Doug Winter Commentary: A really cool variety that I'm sure has been no-graded by both PCGS and NGC for having "reverse damage." Yes, there is damage but it is 100% mint-made. It's a die gouge and while it is fairly well-concealed on the reverse it shows that in 1802 the Mint was still having problems with its machinery and its personnel.
Provenance: Recorded below.
A Roster of Significant Examples
1. Unc Filed Rims PCGS. Purchased from New England Rare Coin Galleries (3/29/1977); Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection (Heritage, 9/2022), lot 11036.
2. AU58+ PCGS. CAC. Central States Signature event (Heritage, 4/2008), lot 2429; McCoy Family Collection; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2018), lot 5019. Offered in the next lot.
3. AU58 NGC. CAC. Long Island Collection; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 2/2022), lot 3181.
4. AU53 NGC. Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 5/2008), lot 3175. The present specimen.
5. AU. Abner Kreisberg (11/1964), lot 2346; Marvin Taichert (Stack's, 5/2001), lot 38.
6. VF20 PCGS. Spring Baltimore Auction (Stack's Bowers, 2/2019), lot 3036.
7. PCGS Genuine -- Ex-Jewelry. Baltimore Auction (Stack's Bowers, 11/2011), lot 9446.
8. PCGS Genuine -- Smoothed, Mount Removed. Long Island Collection; ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2021), lot 4116.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.
Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 410902, Base PCGS# 8083, Greysheet# 198197)
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
15 Days
20h 24m 45s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
Lot Tracking Activity: 22
Page Views: 153
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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