Impressive Mint State 1811 Capped Bust Left $5

1811 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-3+. Tall 5. MS-61 (PCGS).

This impressive Tall 5 half eagle displays uniform golden-wheat hues across both sides. Considerable mint luster halos the devices and dramatic evidence of die clashing is seen around the eagle on the reverse. Attractive and appealing for the assigned grade, there is just a hint of friction across Liberty's cheek and in the central fields. Just under 100,000 half eagles were coined in 1811 from two evidently very resilient die pairs. The two varieties share the same obverse die and are easy to distinguish by noting the size of the 5 on the reverse. The Tall 5 BD-1 die pair, as here, is quite distinctive; its almost oversized 5 in the denomination just barely touches the dentils, while the somewhat more available Small 5 does not come nearly as close. The reverse die was first used the previous year to produce the 1810 BD-1 variety. As the primary gold coin in everyday commerce, the half eagle saw extensive use so that most surviving specimens are found at the higher end of the circulated grade levels. In Mint State, the differences in availability between this and the BD-2 become readily apparent, with far fewer Uncirculated examples of the Tall 5 variety known. These Uncirculated Tall 5 BD-1 half eagles are avidly sought and quality-minded specialists in early gold will be amply rewarded here.

PCGS# 8110. NGC ID: BFXS.

PCGS Population: 5; 30 finer.

From the Francesca Collection.