1807 $5 Capped Bust Left, BD-7, High R.5 MS62 NGC....

Description

1807 BD-7 Half Eagle, MS62
Capped Bust Left Rarity

1807 $5 Capped Bust Left, BD-7, High R.5 MS62 NGC. HBJ-238. Luster dominates the margins and motifs of this well struck yellow-gold representative displaying only inconsequential obverse marks and an unabraded reverse. Light adjustment marks on the obverse cross the upper border and top stars from 9 o'clock to 2 o'clock.
Variety Equivalents: Adams-2, Breen 5-E, Miller-102, Bass-3110.
Obverse Die: The obverse die is common to both 1807 Capped Bust varieties, BD-7 and BD-8.
Reverse Die: This is the only appearance of the reverse die.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/c: Minor obverse clash marks include "ear bars" from the shield stripes. The reverse exhibits clash marks in the lower shield. A vertical die crack extends through the upright of the E in STATES to the eagle's head and shield. A second crack radiates downward from the border right of the second S in STATES.
NGC Census Data (10/25): NGC has certified 40 1807 Capped Bust Left half eagles in MS61, and 89 finer submissions. Nearly all those submissions are likely examples of BD-8, although such submissions are rarely attributed.
Significant Examples: This example and two others are tied for second finest behind the MS65 Bass Collection coin.
Breen (1966): Breen knew of just one variety for the 1807 Capped Bust Left half eagles, writing in his New Varieties update: "Adams lists also a number 9* having the same obv. and a rev. with leaf farther from U, lower arrow beyond C, crack from rim to scroll passing through middle of E in STATES. None seen."
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "This design was the work of newly hired assistant engraver John Reich. He had been hired to assist Robert Scot. He created dies for the half eagle during this year and the quarter eagle in 1808. The demand for quarter eagles was minimal and no eagles were struck after 1804, until that denomination resumed in 1838. No quarter eagles were struck after the one-year type of 1808, until 1821."
Heritage Commentary: Did John Reich really design the Capped Bust half eagles and many other contemporary coin designs that are traditionally attributed to his hand? In his 1988 Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins, Walter Breen wrote: "Reich's first assignment as Assistant Engraver, 1807, was to improve the designs of all current denominations - i.e., to replace the unsatisfactory Scot designs." In an article in the October 2020 issue of Penny Wise, Bill Eckberg observes that Reich worked under Robert Scot and asks a simple question: "Would Scot put his assistant to work 'improving' his own designs?" Eckberg summarized his detailed investigation: "Reich may have designed some coins, but if so, he did it under Scot's direction. Robert Scot should now, finally receive the credit that he is due for the quality of his work."
Doug Winter Commentary: Very lustrous and absolutely perfect for a type set.
Provenance: Recorded below.

A Roster of Significant Examples:
1. MS65 PCGS. Michael G. Brownlee, sold privately 3/15/1972; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection (Heritage, 9/2022), lot 11045.
2. MS62 NGC. Pre-Long Beach Sale (Goldberg Auctions, 9/2009), lot 3355, $11,500.
3. MS62 NGC. ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2012), lot 5353, $16,450. The present specimen.
4. MS62 NGC. Houston Signature (Heritage, 12/2014), lot 3774, $11,456.
5. MS61 PCGS. Major Richard Lambert Collection (S.H. Chapman, 10/1910), lot 21, $10; Public Auction Sale (Lester Merkin, 10/1969), lot 428; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II (Bowers and Merena, 10/1999), lot 787, $6,900.
6. MS60 PCGS. ANA Sale of the Millennium (Bowers and Merena, 8/2000), lot 2221, $4,255.
7. Uncirculated Uncertified. William F. Gable Collection (S.H. Chapman, 5/1914), lot 263.
8. AU58 NGC. Pieper Collection (Stack's Bowers, 4/2022), lot 3138, $10,200.
9. AU Details -- Surfaces Smoothed -- PCGS. Auction '82 (RARCOA, 8/1982), lot 928; US Coins, Part III (Stack's Bowers, 3/2021), lot 5871, $5,040.
10. XF40 Uncertified. ANA Sale (Heritage, 7/1993), lot 5617, $2,310.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 507606, Base PCGS# 8101, Greysheet# 198947)

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.

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