1830 $5 Small 5D, BD-2, High R.5, AU55 PCGS. CAC....

Description

1830 BD-2 Half Eagle, AU55
Small 5D Reverse
CAC Approved

1830 $5 Small 5D, BD-2, High R.5, AU55 PCGS. CAC. HBJ-264. Faint green overtones visit the brilliant yellow surfaces of this lustrous near-Mint half eagle that shows only slight rub on the highest design elements. The devices are nicely detailed on this satiny Choice AU example that features CAC approval for its excellent eye appeal. The frosty devices, especially on the obverse, contrast with the reflective fields.
Variety Equivalents: Adams-1, Breen 2, Miller-159, Bass-3157.
Obverse Die: This 1830-dated obverse was used for both varieties, BD-1 and BD-2.
Reverse Die: The reverse die is found here and on 1831 BD-1.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/a: The obverse may exist in its perfect state but is apparently lightly lapped following clashing. The reverse appears to be perfect.
PCGS Population Data (10/25): PCGS has certified 27 submissions in all grades. The population includes all varieties. This piece is the lone AU55, trailing just 22 finer examples.
CAC Census (10/25): For all varieties and grades, CAC has approved or certified 11 submissions of 1830 half eagles. This example is the only AU55 grade coin, with nine finer submissions.
Breen (1966): Breen's variety notations from 1795 through 1829 used obverse and reverse die combinations such as 1-A and 2-B as examples. For the 1830 and 1831 half eagles, he numbered varieties as 1 and 2, and in 1832 he used Roman numerals I and II. For 1833 and 1834, he combined both Roman and Arabic numerals for his variety notations.

For 1830, Breen described two varieties differing in the denomination on the reverse. However, he stated: "There appears to be three exceedingly similar obverse dies, differing principally in position of stars to denticles, and not much even there."
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): "Although we know that coins were struck into the 1830s and later with prior-year dated dies, the extended die life made that Mint practice untenable. If dies did not crack or wear out, they may have been retired in some cases because of the year change."
Heritage Commentary: A single obverse die was mated with two reverse dies for the two 1830 half eagle varieties. BD-1 has a large D in the denomination, while BD-2 offered here has a small D. Both varieties are scarce although there is some disagreement regarding the actual rarity of each variety. John Dannreuther estimates that 25 to 35 examples of BD-1 survive and that 30 to 40 examples of BD-2 are known. PCGS CoinFacts suggests a surviving population of 20 to 30 examples of BD-1 and 15 to 25 of BD-2. Nearly all that do survive are in AU or Mint State grades.
Doug Winter Commentary: If one were even available, a solid PCGS/CAC Gem 1830 half eagle would cost you in excess of $350,000. In my opinion, this nice PCGS/CAC AU55, which cost Harvey a very reasonable $54,050 as Stacks Bowers 3/2017; 2333. At around one-sixth the price of a Gem, this really solid choice AU SCREAMS good value.
Provenance: Blue Moon Collection (Stack's Bowers, 3/2017), lot 2333.
From The Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection of Early Half Eagles.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BFYC, Variety PCGS# 519947, Base PCGS# 45293, Greysheet# 351797)

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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