1831 $5 MS(PCGS#8153)

1831 $5 MS (PCGS#8153)

The June 2011 Baltimore Auction

详细说明: 1831 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. Miller-161, HBCC-3159, BD-2. Rarity-6. Large D. AU-58 (NGC). 1875-S Liberty Half Eagle. AU-55 (NGC). <td />An exceedingly rare issue, the 1831 Capped Head Left half eagle has an extant population of fewer than 50 coins in all grades (this estimate is per John W. Dannreuther in the 2006 book <em>Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834</em>). Obviously, most of the half eagles struck bearing this date were melted for their bullion content either at the time of issue or at some other point during the early-to-mid-1830s. There are two die marriages known to exist, and both are of nearly identical rarity in numismatic hands. Dannreuther accounts for only 22-30 examples of the BD-2 variety, attributable by a large letter D in the reverse denomination.<br />     Boldly defined with a nicely executed strike and only light wear in evidence, this coin represents one of our (very) few offerings for this issue in recent memory. Khaki-orange surfaces are noticeably abraded, but there are no individually mentionable distractions apart from a trio of short reeding marks on the obverse. As well, more direct angles still reveal ample evidence of a prooflike finish in the fields. A rarity par excellence among early fives that is sure to see spirited bidding at auction.