1798 $5 BD-4, Large 8 MS(PCGS#507324)

The February 2016 Rarities Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

196

等级

AU50

价格

61,799

详细说明

Appealing AU 1798 Heraldic Eagle Five 1798 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. Heraldic Eagle. BD-4. Rarity-4+. Die State d/e. Large 8, 13-Star Reverse. AU-50 (NGC). This pleasing AU 1798 BD-4 half eagle is reasonably sharply struck given the late state of the dies. Liberty's portrait exhibits full curl definition; unevenness to the border dentils is attributed to die lapping rather than deficiencies with the strike. On the reverse the eagle exhibits only minor central softness to its head and breast, but is sharp enough on the wings, shield, and tail to present an overall bold appearance. Warm, rich orange-gold patina on both sides is enhanced by subdued luster. The 1798 half eagle with Heraldic Eagle reverse was produced in seven die marriages (BD-2 through BD-8) using six obverse and seven reverse dies. BD-4 represents the second use of this obverse die and the only use of this reverse die. The obverse die exhibits wide spacing between the digits in the date with a large 8 that is higher than the 9 and joined to the base of Liberty's portrait. The reverse die displays an irregular cross pattern to the stars above the eagle with the left foot of the first letter A in AMERICA below the tip of and close to the fourth feather in the eagle's left wing. Die state d/e is the terminal state of the 1798 BD-4 variety. Both the obverse and reverse are lapped with advanced cracks and, on the reverse, sizeable cuds along the upper border. In fact, the upper reverse die had crumbled to a significant degree by the time this coin was struck, forming full cuds that reach down and touch several letters in the legend (ES in STATES, O in OF, etc.). Additional die failure is noted at the letters TE in UNITED. It is apparent that the steel from which this reverse die was produced was defective, making this one of the most interesting early half eagle varieties to study. Est. $8,000-$10,000