1810 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-3+. Small Date, Tall 5. MS-61 (NGC). OH.

Simply outstanding eye appeal for this scarce and challenging early U.S. Mint gold type. Lustrous satin to softly frosted surfaces are dressed in exceptionally vivid reddish-rose and sunset-orange toning. Glints of underlying medium gold color are still evident, generally as outlines to the major design elements. Sharply to fully struck throughout with an uncommonly smooth appearance in hand for the assigned grade. BD Die State c/c. BD-1 is the second most plentiful variety of the date, although it is far scarcer than the relatively common BD-4. Of the 100,287 or so half eagles produced from the four 1810-dated die combinations, John W. Dannreuther (2006) estimates that 20,000 to 30,000 were examples of the variety now known as BD-1. This is the Small Date, Tall 5 Guide Book variety of the issue, Dannreuther estimating that 150 to 225 coins are extant in all grades. This is a particularly attractive Uncirculated example with much to offer the astute bidder.

PCGS# 8106. NGC ID: BFXM.