1818 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-2. Rarity-4. STATESOF. MS-62 (PCGS). CAC. OGH.

This is a technical and aesthetic jewel with superior eye appeal for the assigned grade. The surfaces display vibrant lemon yellow coloration that glows beneath a light source. Strong luster remains nicely undisturbed on each side and there are no notable abrasions throughout. Certainly among the most desirable pieces available, just 10 coins rank higher at PCGS and only five sit finer at CAC. Newly available for the first time since 1996. Both dies of this scarce variety are distinctive from those that preceded it, the 1818 BD-1 marriage. The obverse shows the new rendition of Reich's Capped Head design, now thought to have been accomplished by Robert Scot, the longtime Mint engraver who remained after Reich's departure in 1817. His portrait bust of Liberty shows lower relief than Reich's version; Breen also pointed out that the "hair is coarser, [and the] cap [is] more obviously wrinkled." Unlike the 1818 BD-1, which used the scalloped star punch for all 13 of the stars, this obverse uses a non-scalloped star punch for the stars. Aside from an appearance on a dime obverse of 1820, after this year the scalloped star would never be seen again. The reverse is the primary calling card of this variety, with its unusual spacing between STATES and OF that makes the two words look like one. The reverse die that follows this one in the die emission sequence (BD-3) shows so much space between STATES and OF that it has often been described as the result of an overcorrection. All examples of BD-2 are highly prized, and very few can match the quality and eye appeal of this MS-62 (PCGS) CAC from the Zito Collection.

PCGS# 8121. NGC ID: BFXY.

PCGS Population: 10; 10 finer. CAC Population: 5; 5 finer.

From the Dr. Paul and Rosalie Zito Collection. Acquired November 19, 1996.

Estimate: $ 30000