1825/Partial 4 $5 BD-1, High R.5 -- Repaired -- NGC Details. AU....

Description

1825/Partial 4 BD-1 Half Eagle, AU Details
The Only Collectible Variety

1825/Partial 4 $5 BD-1, High R.5 -- Repaired -- NGC Details. AU. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/a with no clash marks or evidence of die lapping. While there are three 1825 half eagle varieties identified, only the BD-1 is collectible with 25 to 30 surviving examples according to John Dannreuther. Our database currently includes images of two dozen different examples of the 1825/Partial 4 half eagle.

There are only two examples known of BD-2, and a single example known of BD-3 that was recently recognized as a different variety after the Bass-Dannreuther book was published. This variety was long considered an 1825, 5 Over 1 overdate. Dannreuther attributes the proper identification to Walter Breen, and writes: "Comparison with the obvious 1825/4 overdate variety to follow (BD-2), the upright previously considered a 1 likely is a partially effaced 4." Today, the variety is labeled "1825, 5 Over Partial 4" in the Guide Book.

This example previously appeared in the November 1998 Bowers and Merena auction where it was stated to be the Atwater specimen that B. Max Mehl sold in June 1946. While Mehl was famous for using "stock photos" in his catalog, meaning photos that were not the coins being sold, the present cataloger believes that the Atwater catalog had images of the actual coins in that auction, and is unable to match this coin to that image. We will say here that the present piece might be the Atwater collection coin.

NGC states that this coin is repaired, and there does appear to be evidence of skillful repair at the upper obverse between stars 7 and 8, possibly to repair a surface flaw or perhaps a tiny attempted piercing. However, when it was previously offered in 1998, the coin was PCI graded MS60. Both sides have lovely light yellow toning with hints of rose, blue, and violet toning. A few minor scratches are noted on each side, including a long thin scratch on Liberty's face. Despite the trivial imperfections to the surface, this is a highly collectible and extremely important example of an elusive variety.
From The Allan H. Goldman Collection, Part III.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 519936, Base PCGS# 8133, Greysheet# 351790)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 8.75 grams
AGW: 0.28oz
Mintage: 29,060

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 Allan H. Goldman Collection, Part III ]

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