1834 $5 With Motto, Crosslet 4, BD-2, R.5, MS61 PCGS....

Description

1834 BD-2 Crosslet 4 Half Eagle, MS61
Capped Head, With Motto

1834 $5 With Motto, Crosslet 4, BD-2, R.5, MS61 PCGS. This is an early stage of Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/b, showing the first obverse die crack from star 9 to star 13, and the reverse die crack through MERI to the denomination that are described for that die state. A second obverse crack "from rim to cap grazing the right side of star 6" is not visible on this example.

The recorded mintage for 1834 With Motto half eagles is listed as 50,141 pieces per the Guide Book, and we believe that figure is accurate. It is unlikely that any pieces were struck before 1834, and it is also unlikely that any additional pieces were coined August 1, 1834 when the lighter weight Classic Head coins were first minted. John Dannreuther suggests that the mintage may have been higher, possibly as high as 74,709 coins.

Given the gold value to silver ratio, these coins cost more than face value to produce, and substantial quantities were exported to England where they were melted down and converted to sovereigns. The result is an extremely low survival rate. For all four varieties combined, a total of 80 to 100 survivors is estimated, and half of those are examples of the BD-2 die marriage.

This exceptional representative exhibits trivial marks and faint hairlines on its reflective light yellow surfaces with excellent design definition. It is well above-average for the issue. Population for all 1834 With Motto varieties: 2 in 61, 17 finer (6/18).
From The Lockhart Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 519956, Base PCGS# 8161, Greysheet# 198968)

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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