1808 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-4. Rarity-3+. Wide 5 D. MS-62 (PCGS).

Handsome deep olive-gold surfaces with blended reddish-rose and orange colors also very much in evidence. Both sides are sharply defined overall with full mint luster in a hard, frosty texture. Pleasingly smooth during in hand viewing, only wispy handling marks are present to help define the grade. BD Die State c/b. This reverse die state is unlisted in the Bass-Dannreuther early gold reference, and it is attributable by clash marks from Liberty's portrait in the reverse field around the eagle and through the denomination 5 D and letters RICA in AMERICA. We recently offered another example of this die state -also certified MS-62 by PCGS - as lot 3161 in our November 2023 Auction. One of two normal date die marriages of the 1808-dated half eagle issue, BD-4 is identifiable by wide spacing between the 5 and D in the denomination at the lower reverse border. Relatively available by the standards of the type, examples of this variety number 175 to 225 coins in all grades (per John W. Dannreuther, 2006) and are always in demand for advanced gold type purposes.

PCGS# 8102. NGC ID: 25PA.

Estimate: $13000