1806 $5 Knobbed 6, 7X6 Stars MS(PCGS#8089)

November 2020 U.S. Coins Auction

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

9175

等级

AU53

价格

59,014

详细说明

Sharp AU 1806 BD-6 Half Eagle 1806 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-6. Rarity-2. Round-Top 6, Stars 7x6. AU-53 (PCGS). OGH. This appealing half eagle displays razor sharp to full striking detail over virtually all elements of the design. Satiny to modestly semi-reflective in finish, the obverse contrasts somewhat with a reverse that is more softly frosted. Both sides exhibit handsome medium gold patina with a tinge of pale olive to the obverse. A few light adjustment marks at the vertical stripes in the shield and over the eagle's right "shoulder" are as made; the surfaces are otherwise pleasingly smooth. The half eagle served as one of the principal gold denominations in everyday commerce during the early decades of the U.S. Mint. To help meet the demand for the denomination, the Mint researched various ways to help extend die life and found a solution by placing the obverse die into the anvil position on the base of the coining press with the reverse die taking the role of hammer die. By doing so, not only was the service life of the dies extended, but the obverse die could also impart a sharper and crisper impression. Consequently, in 1806 at least 64,093 half eagles were struck using only five obverse and six reverse dies paired together in a total of six different combinations. Of these five obverse dies, only one used a 6 digit punch with a rounded top. This die pair, Bass-Dannreuther 6, also proved to be the most resilient, ultimately producing somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000 coins. Even with the increase in production, many 1806 half eagles ended up in the hands of bullion speculators during the large scale meltings of the 1820s and 1830s. Somewhere between 600 and 900 examples of the BD-6 variety are believed extant, making this an especially desirable variety for type collectors. Provenance: From the Monterrey Collection. PCGS# 8089. NGC ID: 25P5. Click here for certification details from PCGS.