LOT #3120 |
Current Bid: $115
1812 $5 Narrow 5D, BD-2, High R.4, MS64+ PCGS. CAC....
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Description
1812 BD-2 Half Eagle, MS64+
Narrow 5D Denomination
CAC Approved
1812 $5 Narrow 5D, BD-2, High R.4, MS64+ PCGS. CAC.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/b. The left obverse field exhibits
minor spalling (die rust) near the lips and neck while the reverse
shows faint clash marks in the lower right part of the shield. The
BD-2 die pair is scarce with an estimated population of 80 to 100
examples in all grades. The other die pair for 1812 enjoys a
population that John W. Dannreuther estimates at 300 to 450
examples. The late Harry W. Bass, Jr., perhaps the most active
student of early gold coin varieties in the second half of the 20th
century, acquired five 1812 half eagles including four examples of
the Wide 5D variety and just one example of this Narrow 5D
variety.The 1812 half eagles represent the last of the Draped and Capped Bust design facing left that was introduced late in 1807. There are some who suggest that John Reich, the Mint's assistant engraver who was hired in 1807 created the design for these coins. Recently, other students of the early coinage have suggested that Reich was not involved in the design.
This example is the third best 1812 BD-2 half eagle that we have handled, and the fourth finest among those in recent auctions. Finest known is the Eliasberg-Pogue example that PCGS grades MS65+. Coins that grade MS65 PCGS, MS65 NGC, MS64+ PCGS (offered here), and MS64 PCGS from the Bass Core Collection round out the top five examples. The lustrous brassy-gold surfaces of this near-Gem offering display hints of light tan and give off a slight greenish cast. A well-executed strike imparts strong definition to the design elements; the sole exception is minor softness on the upper right corner of the shield. While a few minor handling marks preclude Gem classification, they do not detract from the coin's overall appeal. Faint adjustment marks are visible at the obverse margins. Population for both 1812 varieties: 49 in 64 (7 in 64+), 6 finer. CAC: 19 in 64, 4 finer (8/25).
Ex: Baltimore Signature (Heritage, 3/2009), lot 2863; Legend Rare Coin Auctions (12/2021), lot 322.
Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 507602, Base PCGS# 8112)
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
2025 October 2 - 5 GACC US Coins Signature® Auction #1386 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
October
2nd
Thursday
12:50 pm CT
Auction Dates
October
2nd-5th
Thursday-Sunday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
18 Days
4h 10m 7s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: 26
Page Views: 86
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Premier Floor Session - PREMIER (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 3001-3238) - 1:00 PM Central Time, Thursday, October 2, 2025.
[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:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
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