1833 $5 Large Date PR61 NGC. BD-1, R.5, R.8 as a Proof....

Description

1833 BD-1 Half Eagle, PR61
Only Three Known
Two in Collectors' Hands
The '44th Greatest' U.S. Coin

1833 $5 Large Date PR61 NGC. BD-1, R.5, R.8 as a Proof. The 1833 proof half eagle holds the 44th spot in the third edition of Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth's 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. It was struck during the opening year of the second Mint building in 1833, and is likely one of the first gold coins produced at the new facility.

This early die state proof shows no signs of clash marks or cracks, with slight evidence of lapping, as certain details are diminished. The reverse die was used with two 1832-dated obverse dies, and with two 1833-dated obverse dies. Examination of the large plates in John Dannreuther's Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties, A Study of Die States, 1795-1834, clearly shows the progression of die lapping, especially at the eagle's talon that hangs down from the upper leaf pair.

The deeply mirrored fields of this green-gold proof surround satin devices, imparting a trace of cameo contrast. Proof finish appears in the recesses of the design, such as the letters of LIBERTY and the spaces between shield stripes. The fields are lightly hairlined with other minor surface marks expected for the grade. A hint of striking softness is noted at the usual spots, especially among the wing feathers just left of the shield.

The census of 1833 proof half eagles is hardly complicated, as only three or four are known, one in the Smithsonian Institution, and another in a tightly held private collection. Nothing is known of the third piece in the following roster. The present specimen is the only one that will likely be available to collectors at any time in the foreseeable future. It is also a lower grade than the others, meaning it is more affordable, relatively speaking.

The three proofs are all from the BD-1 or Large Date die pair, with no proofs known from the Small Date obverse die. PCGS CoinFacts concurs that there are three known proofs. There are also a couple of other pieces that have been called proof in the past, but are now considered prooflike business strikes. Dannreuther mentions the Smithsonian piece in his reference, but fails to mention either of the other two specimens.

Roster of 1833 Proof Half Eagles

PR67 PCGS. Pittman Specimen. J. Colvin Randall; Lorin G. Parmelee (New York Coin & Stamp Co., 6/1890), lot 1021; James W. Flanagan (Stack's, 2/1944); J.F. Bell (Stack's, 11/1944), lot 355; The Palace Collections of Egypt (Sotheby's, 2/1954), lot 246a; John Jay Pittman (David Akers, 10/1997), lot 933; Al Adams; The Gold Rush Collection (Heritage, 1/2005), lot 30046; D. Brent Pogue Collection, Part IV (Stack's Bowers, 5/2016), lot 4044.

PR65 Deep Cameo. Smithsonian Specimen. National Numismatic Collection; Smithsonian Institution.

PR63 Cameo NGC. Unknown Specimen. An example certified PR63 Cameo NGC appears in that firm's Census Report. Its present whereabouts are unknown.

PR61 NGC. The Present Specimen. Bowers and Merena (7/2002), lot 784, where it was certified AU58 NGC; October ANA Signature (Heritage, 10/2012), lot 5838.
From The Gibney Family Collection. (Registry values: P1)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28B9, PCGS# 8167, Greysheet# 8854)

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

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.

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