Bold Choice AU 1806 BD-6 Half Eagle

1806 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-6. Rarity-2. Round-Top 6, Stars 7x6. AU-55 (PCGS).

Bright golden-yellow surfaces retain ample luster that is most pronounced in the protected areas around the design elements. Both sides are well centered in strike with complete, essentially uniform denticulation. Central detail is sharp to full, while that around the border is also bold for most features. A flashy and attractive example with strong appeal. BD Die State d/e. The half eagle served as one of the principal gold denominations for everyday commercial life during the early decades of the U.S. Mint. To help meet the demand for the denomination, the Mint researched various ways to help extend die life and found a solution by placing the obverse die into the anvil position on the base of the coining press with the reverse die taking the role of hammer die. By doing so, not only was the service life of the dies extended, but the obverse die could also impart a sharper and crisper impression. Consequently, in 1806 at least 64,093 half eagles were struck using five obverse dies and six reverse dies paired together in a total of six different combinations. Of these five obverses, only one used a 6 digit punch with a rounded off top. This die pair, Bass-Dannreuther 6, also proved to be the most resilient ultimately producing somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000 pieces. Even with the increase in production, many 1806 half eagles ended up in the hands of bullion speculators during the large scale meltings of the 1820s and 1830s. Somewhere between 600 and 900 examples of the BD-6 variety are believed extant, with nearly a third of these in high grade, making this an especially desirable variety for type collectors. For the discerning numismatist seeking a high grade early half eagle, look no further.

PCGS# 8089. NGC ID: 25P5.

From the Francesca Collection.