LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 Jan. FUN Signature Coin Auction #454  / 

3131

1795 $5 Small Eagle AU53 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:30,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1795 $5 Small Eagle AU53 PCGS
<B>1795 $5 Small Eagle AU53 PCGS.</B></I> Breen-6412, BD-4, R.5. The First U.S. Mint at Philadelphia struck copper half cents and cents in 1793, and silver half dimes, halves, and dollars in 1794. No gold coins were struck until July 1795, partly because of oppressively high surety bonds required of the assayer and chief coiner, and partly because of the greater need for lower denomination coins.<BR> Although the Guide Book reports a mintage of only 8,707 pieces for the 1795 Small Eagle half eagle, that small emission required 12 different die pairings. Three additional 1795 Heraldic Eagle marriages are known, but those were struck circa 1798 using leftover 1795 obverse dies. Among the 12 Small Eagle 1795 varieties, BD-3 is the most common. BD-4 is scarce relative to BD-3, but is among the more available Small Eagle varieties. BD-4 is quickly identified by the placement of the termination of the eagle's wreath, centered beneath the O in OF. On all other 1795 Small Eagle varieties, the wreath terminates to the left of the O.<BR> Breen believed that BD-4 was the first variety struck, but Harry W. Bass, Jr. proved otherwise. BD-2 and BD-4 share the same obverse die, but BD-4 has a die crack from the rim through star 12, while BD-2 lacks this crack. BD-2 and BD-1 share the same reverse die, and since BD-2 is from a later reverse die state than BD-1, the latter is now credited as the first die marriage struck.<BR> BD-4 has two known die states. The star touches the bust in the first die state, which is the case for the present coin. Later, the die was lapped, separating the first star from Liberty's hair. Although BD-4 is the only marriage for the reverse die, it remains perfect on all known examples. <BR> This is a splendid example of the coveted first-year half eagle. Bright luster bathes all protected areas, and the fields have remarkably few abrasions. Faint adjustment marks are limited to the portrait, where they are concealed within the hair. A small circular obverse mark at 3 o'clock serves as an identifier. Housed in a green label holder.<BR><I>From The Chandler Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Robert Scot<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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