LOT #1040 |
Current Bid: $8,750
1808 $5 Close 5D, BD-3, R.4, AU58 PCGS....
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Description
1808 BD-3 Half Eagle, AU58
Sharp and Lustrous Type Representative
1808 $5 Close 5D, BD-3, R.4, AU58 PCGS. HBJ-240. This
coin displays lovely straw-gold luster, with sharp details and no
evidence of adjustment marks around the borders. The eye appeal is
remarkably pleasing, as the surfaces are smooth and free of
obtrusive abrasions.Variety Equivalents: Adams-3, Breen 3-A, 4-A, Miller-105, 106, Bass-3114.
Obverse Die: The obverse die was used for both 1808 Normal Date varieties, BD-3 and BD-4.
Reverse Die: This reverse remained in service for four die combinations: 1807 BD-8, 1808 BD-1, 1808 BD-2, and 1808 BD-3.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/d: The obverse is considered perfect, though may show slight clash marks as described for obverse state b. The reverse is lapped, removing the clash marks from earlier appearances of that die.
PCGS Population Data (10/25): The four 1808 half eagle varieties include 52 that PCGS grades AU58, one graded AU58+, and 127 Mint State submissions.
Significant Examples: Several Mint State examples of 1808 BD-3 are known and were recorded in our roster published in our September 2022 Bass Core Collection sale.
Breen (1966): Three die pairs described in Breen's 1966 monograph represent two varieties, BD-3 and BD-4. Breen's description of variety 3-A was from the low-quality plate in RARCOA's April 1963 sale of the J.F. Bell Collection.
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "This variety marks the last use of this work-horse reverse and it likely has a terminal state, although only an early stage of State e had been observed. The obverse is paired with a new reverse to create the fourth and last variety for this date."
Heritage Commentary: The two 1808 normal date varieties share a common obverse die. The reverse die for BD-3 remained in use following three previous appearances as noted above. The reverse dies are easily differentiated by the position of the I in PLURIBUS that is below the upright of the E on this BD-3 variety and below the left base of the E on BD-4.
Doug Winter Commentary: Unless you wish to spend a lot more money, this example will work perfectly in a gold type set.
Provenance: FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2015), lot 7035.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.
Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 507604, Base PCGS# 8102, Greysheet# 197939)
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.
View all of [The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early U.S. Half Eagles ]
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
6 Days
21h 10m 22s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 19
Lot Tracking Activity: 40
Page Views: 387
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.]
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Additional Location Info:
Orange County Convention Center
North/South Building
9400 Universal Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
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