1800 $5 BD-5, High R.3, MS64 PCGS....

Description

1800 BD-5 Half Eagle, MS64
Conditionally Rare Type Coin
Intermediate Die State

1800 $5 BD-5, High R.3, MS64 PCGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State d/b, an early stage. On the reverse, die cracks are evident at the R in AMERICA, and the I and D in UNITED, but the crack through the bottom of the shield has not yet formed. On the obverse, the bisecting die crack of the terminal die state (e/c) is beginning, visible to the left of the 1 in the date and behind Liberty's cap. The crack through the IBER in LIBERTY is carried over from previous uses of this obverse die for BD-2, -3, and -4. The only half eagles struck from this obverse die that do not show the IBER crack are early examples of BD-2.

BD-5 is one of the three moderately plentiful 1800 half eagle varieties, with an estimated survivorship of 175 to 250 pieces in all grades. Nonetheless, that availability only exists for coins grading MS62 or lower. Regardless of variety, any 1800 half eagle is a rarity in MS63, and in MS64, only a handful of pieces are certified at PCGS. Only a single coin -- an MS66 piece -- is finer at that service (2/19).

Offered here is a lustrous near-Gem with satiny yellow-gold mint luster and a hint of field reflectivity. An even, well-centered strike brings out the border stars and most central details, although trivial weakness is noted on the horizontal shield lines below the eagle's neck. As the grade suggests, there are no bothersome abrasions, and the reverse is particularly clean. The obverse has some light, scattered hairlines and marks in the fields that appear under a loupe and keep this piece from a Gem designation. Eye appeal is outstanding. Population: 9 in 64 (1 in 64+), 1 finer (2/19).

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 45595, Base PCGS# 8082, Greysheet# 198194)

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