1819 $5 BD Unlisted (BD-3), R.8 -- Plugged, Whizzed -- NCS. AU Details. HBJ-252. This example has light gr...

Description

1819 'BD-3' Half Eagle, AU Details
The Unique Discovery Coin
Unknown to Bass

1819 $5 BD Unlisted (BD-3), R.8 -- Plugged, Whizzed -- NCS. AU Details. HBJ-252. This example has light greenish-yellow surfaces with hints of orange toning about the peripheries. The surfaces are lightly polished but lack the distinctive appearance of whizzing. Minor marks are noted on each side, including disturbances at the upper obverse and lower reverse that NCS describes with the "plugged" label.
Variety Equivalents: None. This recent discovery was unknown to previous authors and is not recorded in the Bass-Dannreuther reference.
Obverse Die: The obverse die is found on 1819 BD-1 and this new variety, BD-3.
Reverse Die: The reverse die is unique to this die marriage.
Bass-Dannreuther Die State: This variety was unknown to John Dannreuther, so no die state is recorded. There is no evidence of clash marks, die cracks, nor lapping on the obverse. The two hollow leaves in the branch suggest that the reverse was lapped, although no clash marks or die cracks are noted.
Census Data (10/25): As a unique coin, this is the only one certified.
Significant Examples: When we offered this example in 2014, we created a full condition census of 27 different 1819 half eagles that included 19 examples of BD-1, seven examples of BD-2, and this lone BD-3. We also listed 17 additional auction appearances.
Breen (1966): Breen described three varieties: Breen 1-A is BD-1; Breen 1-B should have been called 2-B and is equivalent to BD-2; Breen 2-B is also BD-2.
Bass-Dannreuther (2006): None as the variety was unrecognized in 2006 when the Bass-Dannreuther book was published.
Heritage Commentary: While the present cataloger, Mark Borckardt, is credited with the March 2014 identification of this variety, it is possible that the actual discoverer was Edgar Adams who listed a third variety in his notes. Unfortunately, his mid-1930s articles on the half eagles stopped with 1800 varieties and access to his notebooks is not readily available.
Doug Winter Commentary: Of inestimable importance to the specialist and obviously a coin that Harvey was very proud to obtain when he bought in the 2014 ANA sale.
Provenance: ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2014), lot 5648.

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 NGC