1810 $5 Small Date, Small 5, BD-2, R.6, AU55+ PCGS. CAC....

Description

1810 BD-2 Half Eagle, AU55+
Rare Small Date, Small 5 Variety
Only 14 Examples Traced

1810 $5 Small Date, Small 5, BD-2, R.6, AU55+ PCGS. CAC. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/b, featuring a lengthy obverse die crack across drapery clasp. Four die marriages exist for the 1810 half eagle, which was reportedly struck to the extent of 100,287 coins. Each variety can be individually identified by examining the date (Small or Large) and the 5 in the denomination (Tall or Small). The two Small 5 variants are by far the rarest. This die marriage, BD-2, has a Small Date and a Small 5. John Dannreuther suggests a survivorship of 25 to 30 pieces. Only four examples of the BD-3 variety with a Large Date and Small 5 are known, the finest of which in AU53 also formed part of the Bass Core Collection, realizing $264,000 in September 2022.

PCGS lists eight total submissions for the 1810 Small Date, Small 5 half eagle in problem-free condition. They include one each in XF45, AU50, AU53, AU55, AU55+ (the coin offered here), AU58, MS62 (ex: Pogue), and MS63 (11/22). See the roster below for a more complete listing of known BD-2 representatives.

This high-end Choice AU offering displays original deep red-gold surfaces and partial field reflectivity. The star radials are visible and Liberty's curls are sharp. Reverse detail is slightly more uneven but still strong. Light abrasions have no material effect on the fantastic eye appeal.

Roster of 1810 Small Date, Small 5, BD-2 Half Eagles
1. MS63 PCGS.
2. MS62 PCGS. David McCarthy, April 2004; Larry Hanks, December 2004; D. Brent Pogue Collection (Stack's Bowers, 2/2016), lot 3138, realized $99,875; McCoy Family Collection (Heritage, 8/2020), lot 3984.
3 MS62 NGC. Husky Collection (Stack's, 6/2008), lot 2077, realized $138,000; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4861, realized $132,250.
4. AU58 PCGS, CAC. FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2012), lot 4665, realized $109,250; Harvey B. Jacobson, Jr. Collection.
5. AU58 NGC. FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2004), lot 2175; San Francisco Signature (Heritage, 7/2005), lot 10345.
6. AU58 NGC. 70th Anniversary Sale (Stack's, 10/2005), lot 1229.
7. AU55+ PCGS, CAC. Charles Gozan; Auction '80 (Paramount, 8/1980), lot 923, as part of a complete four-piece set of 1810 half eagle die varieties; Harry W. Bass, Jr.; Harry Bass Foundation, the present coin.
8. AU55 PCGS. Possibly J. Colvin Randall; Randall Collection, Part I (W. Elliot Woodward, 6/1885), lot 914; George Earle Collection (Henry Chapman, 6/1912), lot 2374; William H. Woodin, exhibited at the 1914 ANS Exhibition; Waldo Newcomer; "Colonel" E.H.R. Green, circa 1932, via B. Max Mehl; King Farouk, via Stack's, circa 1943; Palace Collections of Egypt (Sotheby's, 2/1954), lot 232; Auction '88 (David Akers, 7/1988), lot 900; Diocese of Buffalo (Heritage, 6/1997), lot 6399; J.A. Sherman Collection (Stack's, 8/2007), lot 3215.
9. AU50 NGC. Possibly purchased by James A. Stack in the 1940s; James A. Stack Collection (Stack's, 3/1995), lot 465; Hutchinson Collection (Heritage, 1/2017), lot 5865; York Collection (Stack's Bowers, 8/2018), lot 1266.
10. AU50 NGC. Discovered in the Midwest, circa 1993; Harold Rothenberger Collection (Superior, 1/1994), lot 2408; Dr. Jon Kardatzke Collection, Part II (Ira and Larry Goldberg, 6/2000), lot 1303.
11. XF45 PCGS. Possibly Grant Pierce Collection (Stack's, 5/1965), lot 1303; R.L. Miles Collection (Stack's, 10/1968), lot 347; Mike Brownlee; Purchased by Harry W. Bass, Jr. on August 2, 1994; Bass Collection, Part II (Bowers and Merena, 10/1999), lot 795; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 2/2002), lot 6777.
12. AU55, cleaned and buffed, uncertified. Possibly Dr. Charles W. Green Collection (B. Max Mehl, 4/1949), lot 248; Philip G. Straus Collection (Stack's, 5/1959), lot 2406, with letters MIC in the field; Cicero Collection (New Netherlands, 12/1960), lot 110, letters removed; exhibited at RARCOA's table at the 1963 FUN Convention, per Walter Breen; 10th Anniversary Auction (Kreisberg/Schulman, 4/1967), lot 761; Auction '81 (Paramount, 7/1981), lot 1426; R.E. Naftzger FPL (Paramount, 1981), Auction '82 (Paramount, 7/1982), lot 1927; Charles Kramer Collection (Stack's/Superior, 11/1988), lot 310; Diocese of Buffalo (Heritage, 6/1997), lot 5326; Pre-Long Beach Sale (Superior, 2/2000), lot 1082, misattributed as Large Date, Small 5.
13. AU Details NGC. Diocese of Buffalo Collection (Heritage, 7/1997), lot 5200; New York Connoisseur's Collection (American Numismatic Rarities, 3/2006), lot 1584; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2014), lot 5421.
14. AU Details, PCGS Genuine. Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2015), lot 6172; Baltimore Auction (Stack's Bowers, 11/2015), lot 20110.

Additional Appearances
A. "Proof." Phineas Adams; Harold P. Newlin; 69th Sale (John W. Haseltine, 6/1883), lot 345.
B. A specimen in the possession of the Pressman brothers of Cleveland, Ohio, reported by Walter Breen.
From The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part II.

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 507595, Base PCGS# 8105, Greysheet# 374043)

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