1820 $5 Square Base 2, Large Letters, BD-4, R.8, MS62 PCGS....

Description

1820 BD-4 Square Base 2 Half Eagle, MS62
Mrs. Norweb's Discovery Coin
The Miller Plate Coin

1820 $5 Square Base 2, Large Letters, BD-4, R.8, MS62 PCGS. HBJ-253. A spectacular Select Uncirculated example with glittering sun-gold surfaces and a razor-sharp strike. Wispy hairlines are seen under magnification, yet the surfaces are refreshingly free of other abrasions or meaningful marks. Brilliant mint luster radiates from fields that display pleasing areas of reflectivity.
Variety Equivalents: Adams unlisted, Breen unlisted (1-C), Miller-131, Bass-3135.
Obverse Die: The obverse die is found on BD-3 and BD-4.
Reverse Die: The reverse die appears in multiple variants, including 1820 BD-4, 1820 BD-5, 1820 BD-7, 1825 BD-3, and 1826 BD-1.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/a: The obverse is lapped with die clashing no longer visible. Trivial rust lumps are noted above the cap and behind the head. The reverse is perfect. There is apparently no distinction between reverse states a and b.
PCGS Population Data (10/25): The PCGS population for 1820 Square Base 2 varieties includes seven graded MS62 and 33 finer pieces.
Significant Examples: There are two examples known to us, and both of those survivors are offered in the present sale.

MS63+ PCGS. Alto Collection (Stack's, 12/1970), lot 135; Harry W. Bass, Jr.; Harry Bass Core Collection (Heritage, 9/2022), lot 11051. Offered in the next lot.
MS62 PCGS. J.C. Morgenthau (Sale 366, 6/1936), lot 63; Norweb Collection (Bowers and Merena, 10/1987), lot 771; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 10/2021), lot 3583; Stack's Bowers (3/2024), lot 4280. The present specimen.

Breen (1966): This variety was unknown to Breen when he wrote his 1966 monograph. He reported the combination in his "New Varieties" update: "Mrs. Norweb reports a specimen muling my obv. 1 and rev. C. It is doubtless exceedingly rare." The Norweb example is offered here.
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "This is the second and final use of the obverse, so a terminal state should exist. This variety is so rare (as noted, only two confirmed examples) that a coin is very unlikely to exist in that [terminal] condition. The reverse is used for the next variety (BD-5), combined with one of the obverses prepared with the new set of numeral punches with Belted 8's and Curved Base 2's. It was also used for another Curved Base 2 variety, BD-7. Incredibly, after its use for BD-7, it was resurrected in 1826 for BD-1 of that date!"
Heritage Commentary: We know today that nine 1820 half eagle varieties exist. However, past variety references were uncertain about the number known. Edgar H. Adams recorded eight varieties in his notebook. Many years later, apparently relying in part on the Adams study, Walter Breen itemized six varieties in 1966 and added this "Breen 1-C" variety in his undated revision. Robert W. Miller, Sr., whose 1997 reference attempted to create order out of chaos, listed 13 varieties. Variety equivalents: BD-1 - Miller unlisted; BD-2 - Miller 132, 133, and possibly 141; BD-3 - Miller 129, 130; BD-4 - Miller 131; BD-5 - Miller 134; BD-6 - Miller 137; BD-7 - Miller 135; BD-8 - Miller 140; BD-9 - Miller 136, 138, 139.
Doug Winter Commentary: You know that you are dealing with a generational collection when there are two known 1820 BD-4 half eagles and both of them are in the Jacobson collection. Not only that but this coin is also very nice and distinctly pedigreed. One of my personal favorites in this early five set.
Provenance: Recorded above.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 519923, Base PCGS# 8125, Greysheet# 198954)

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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