LOT #1039 |
Current Bid: $4,500
1808/7 $5 Wide Date, BD-1, R.6, MS62 NGC....
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Description
1808/7 BD-1 Half Eagle, MS62
Elusive Overdate Variety
1808/7 $5 Wide Date, BD-1, R.6, MS62 NGC. HBJ-239.
Sharp design definition is evident on both sides of this fully
lustrous wheat-gold example that features a well-centered strike
and excellent eye appeal.Variety Equivalents: Adams-1, 2, Breen 1-A, Miller-103, Bass-3111.
Obverse Die: This is the only appearance of the obverse.
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 c/c: The obverse die has heavy cracks including a radial crack from the upper border to the cap and bust, reaching the right side of the first 8 in the date and the lower border. The lapped reverse die shows slight die clashing in the shield.
NGC Census Data (10/25): NGC has identified 63 submissions of 1808/7 overdate half eagles in all grades. Those submissions include five in MS62 and just one finer example.
Significant Examples: This example is tied for the fourth finest of eight Mint State examples listed in our roster that follows.
Breen (1966): Breen described two overdate varieties from different obverse dies in his 1966 monograph. He rated his 1-A die combination as R.6, as we do today and suggested that the obverse die break accounts for its rarity. The other more plentiful variety, Breen 2-A, is cataloged today as BD-2.
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "This combination is difficult to locate because the obverse quickly shattered and was retired. This and the following variety were overdated from two 1807-dated dies. Both are similar - this one has a very short 1 almost centered over a dentil. Traces of the previous 7 are seen at the upper and lower left of the 8."
Heritage Commentary: The four 1808 half eagle varieties include two overdates and two normal dates. Many past offerings of 1808 half eagles, if they were attributed at all, were frequently mis-attributed. For that reason, the actual rarity of the different varieties is difficult to ascertain. We agree with Dannreuther who writes: "There has been little differentiation in catalogs between the two overdated obverses for 1808, so determining how many of each were produced is a guess - like nearly every other early gold coin. In determining varieties from auction photographs, the author found numerous examples of 1808/7 coins listed as normal date issues."
Doug Winter Commentary: I'm a sucker for this variety and -- actually -- for all nice 1808/7 half eagles. This date is many times scarcer than a common 1811 or 1812 yet it commands just a small premium. Supposedly, this variety is an R-6 but I'm thinking that I see one of these for every ten 1808/7 BD-2's.
Provenance: Recorded below.
A Roster of Significant Examples
1. MS64 PCGS. James A. Stack, Sr. Collection (Stack's, 10/1994), lot 1052, $24,200; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection (Heritage, 8/2023), lot 9046.
2. MS63 PCGS. Auction '90 (RARCOA, 8/1990), lot 935, $4,400.
3. MS63 Uncertified (grade per Jeff Garrett). Josiah K. Lilly Collection, donated intact by Lilly's estate in 1968 to the National Numismatic Collection in exchange for a $5.5 million tax credit; National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution (ID #NU.68.159.0172).
4. MS62 PCGS. Pre-Long Beach (Goldberg Auctions, 2/2007), lot 2257, $23,000; Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4664, $25,300; Baltimore Rarities Night (Stack's Bowers, 11/2021), lot 4114, $21,600.
5. MS62 NGC. Dr. James A. Ferrendelli Collection (Stack's Bowers, 8/2014), lot 11086, $24,675. The present specimen.
6. MS61 PCGS. Treasures from the S.S. New York (Stack's, 7/2009), lot 1389, $15,000.
7. MS61 NGC. Hutchinson Collection, Part II (Heritage, 4/2017), lot 4241, $17,625.
8. MS61 NGC. Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 9/2020), lot 3718, $13,800.
9. AU58 PCGS. ANA 75th Annual Convention Sale (Abe Kosoff and Numismatic Enterprises, 8/1966), lot 1980; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation Collection (HBCC# 3111); Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part II (Heritage, 1/2023), lot 9035, $19,200.
10. AU58 PCGS. Chicago ANA (Stack's Bowers, 8/2013), lot 4478, $18,800.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25PB, Variety PCGS# 45636, Base PCGS# 8103, Greysheet# 197941)
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
9 Days
3h 15m 12s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 8
Lot Tracking Activity: 26
Page Views: 181
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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