1798 $5 Large Eagle, Large 8, 13 Stars Reverse, BD-4, High R.4, MS66 PCGS....

Description

1798 BD-4 Half Eagle, MS66
The Finest Certified of Any Variety

1798 $5 Large Eagle, Large 8, 13 Stars Reverse, BD-4, High R.4, MS66 PCGS. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. Bass-Dannreuther Die State d/e, the latest die state recorded for the variety. Liberty's hair curls show evidence of lapping. The obverse is lightly cracked through the base of the date, actually composed of more than one individual crack, although that is only apparent due to the incredible preservation of this piece. A small raised lump is seen just right of the 9. A light die crack (or cracks) joins the Y of LIBERTY and all the stars on the right, and another faint crack connects the tops of IBE in LIBERTY. Now it gets fun: A heavy die crack joins the tops of RTY, reaching the border over the left serif of the R and extends right of Y to the border over star 9. A branch crack joins the border over the right side of the T, and the entire area over RT has raised slightly to form a retained cud.

The lapped reverse die is exciting for the die state enthusiast. A die crack begins at cloud 6 and joins reverse stars 5 and 10, crossing the scroll at the second U in UNUM, continuing through the eagle's breast to the shield before disappearing due to a weak central strike. Die breakage is observed at the base of TE in UNITED. A delicate crack through the top of that T joins the border over the left arm of that letter and over the left serif of the adjacent E. A few trivial die chips are noted at the E of AMERICA. For most observers, the eye is immediately drawn to the top of the reverse. Large rim breaks join the tops of ES in STATES and the top left of the O in OF. The entire area over TATES O shows numerous small cracks and die chips that are nearly impossible to describe individually. All of those die state features are seen to some extent on all known examples of the 1798 BD-4 half eagle, and those anomalies provide immediate attribution.

PCGS has certified 197 half eagles of all seven 1798 Heraldic Eagle varieties and NGC adds 186 more to the total population. From that total of 383 grading events, just one coin ... this coin ... is graded MS66 and, of course, none are finer (11/22). Simply stated, this is the finest existing 1798 half eagle. Following this coin are a single MS65 PCGS, one MS64+ PCGS, two MS64 NGC coins, and less than a dozen examples that are certified MS63.

Although weakly defined in the central obverse and reverse, this piece is extraordinary. Both sides are highly lustrous with brilliant yellow mint frost. A few splashes of light orange toning will aid identification. The surfaces of this Premium Gem are pristine and essentially problem-free. The collector seeking a high grade 1798 half eagle has little opportunity, and the collector seeking the finest quality needs this coin.

Roster of Significant Examples
1. MS66 PCGS. Ron Gillio, sold privately on 8/27/1973; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation Collection (HBCC# 3055). The present coin.
2. MS64 NGC CAC. Chicago Signature (Heritage, 8/2011), lot 7507, $155,250; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 6/2018), lot 4125, $144,000.
3. MS63 PCGS. James A. Stack, Sr. Collection (Stack's, 10/1994), lot 1037, $15,400; Drew St. John Sale (American Numismatic Rarities, 6/2005), lot 504, $50,000; Old West and Franklinton Collections (American Numismatic Rarities, 8/2006), lot 1363, $48,000.
4. MS63 PCGS. Craig N. Smith and George William Youngman Collections (Bowers and Merena, 3/2003), lot 2259, not sold; Baltimore ANA (Bowers and Merena, 7/2003), lot 2639, $23,000; McCoy Family Collection (Heritage, 1/2018), lot 5015, $56,400; D.L. Hansen Collection
5. MS62 PCGS CAC. Regency Auction XXII (Legend Rare Coin Auctions, 7/2017), lot 476, $47,000.
6. MS62 PCGS. Pre-Long Beach Sale (Superior, 9/2002), lot 1340, $18,400; Summer FUN Signature (Heritage, 7/2015), lot 3301, $31,725; Rarities Sale (Stack's Bowers, 8/2016), lot 3241, $30,550; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 10/2022), lot 3178, $38,400.
7. MS62 PCGS. Collections of Edgar M. Rossi and R. Sloan Wilson, M.D. (Bowers and Merena, 5/1997), lot 2223, $1,210.
8. MS62 NGC. Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction (Goldberg Auctions, 2/2006), lot 1060, $33,350; Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction (Goldberg Auctions, 2/2007), lot 2239, not sold.
9. MS62 NGC. FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2009), lot 4040, $32,200; Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2009), lot 2706, $29,900.
10. MS61 PCGS. Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II (Bowers and Merena, 10/1999), lot 726, $16,100.
From The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part II.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 507324, Base PCGS# 8078, Greysheet# 226372)

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.

View Certification Details from PCGS