1811 $5 Small 5, BD-2, R.3, MS65+ PCGS....

Description

1811 Small 5 Half Eagle, MS65+
Sole Finest BD-2 Representative
Frosty and Strongly Struck

1811 $5 Small 5, BD-2, R.3, MS65+ PCGS. Ex: Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. Bass-Dannreuther Die State e/b, with a faint clash mark on the cheek. The 1811 half eagle is a fairly straightforward issue as far as die variety attribution is concerned. The two marriages for the year share a single obverse and are readily distinguished by the size of the 5 in the denomination. One has a Tall 5 (BD-1) that brushes the lower denticles, and the other has a Small 5 (BD-2) about evenly centered between the rim and lowest fletching. Both BD-1 and BD-2 are relatively collectible for early half eagles. John Dannreuther estimates in Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties that 175 to 250 of the former and 225 to 300 of the latter survive, making this BD-2 variety the slightly more accessible of the two.

That perceived degree of availability falls by the wayside when one evaluates an example in this unparalleled state of preservation. The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection representative in MS65+ condition is the sole finest 1811 Small 5 half eagle at PCGS, followed by seven submissions in MS64+. NGC reports four Gem grading events, although they are not differentiated by variety. We offered one of them as part of our January 2021 FUN Signature sale, lot 4090, where it realized $66,000 -- an auction record we suspect will be broken when this finest-certified example cross the block.

This spectacular survivor presents thick mint frost over smooth medium yellow-gold surfaces. Liberty's curls and the eagle's shield and feathers are sharp, with that sharpness extending out to the peripheral regions. Magnification reveals trivial ticks that are remarkably minor for such an early half eagle. An extraordinary opportunity. Population: 1 in 65 (1 in 65+), 0 finer (8/22).
Ex: William A. Mitkoff (6/6/1975).
From The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part I.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BFXR, Variety PCGS# 507599, Base PCGS# 8109, Greysheet# 315463)

Metal: 91.67% Gold, 8.33% Copper
Weight: 8.75 grams
AGW: 0.28oz
Mintage: 99,581

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