1404

1797/5 HE $5 NGC AU58 [L#1404

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:55,250.00 USD Estimated At:85,000.00 - 110,000.00 USD
1797/5 HE $5 NGC AU58 [L#1404
Encased in NGC holder 1808894-001. Breen suggests these extremely rare heraldic eagle pieces were the 470 coins struck on July 8, 1797. This is an important major variety among early half eagles, embodying fewer than a dozen extant specimens! Evenly toned with rich yellow gold, it has abundant remaining frostiness, particularly around the main devices. The reverse is somewhat reflective and retains abundant luster, and some deeper yellow toning may be seen in the reverse field. Some light areas of striking weakness present themselves on the eagle's head and at the upper border of the shield on the reverse, typical for the type. Some light abrasions on the surfaces are consistent with the assigned grade and, best of all, no contact points are consequential. In fact, the overall aesthetic appeal is outstanding!

The sharpness of this specimen is easily finer than the Bass duplicate, earlier from Eliasberg, which was sold in October 1999. That piece was graded AU-53 (PCGS) but showed substantial central weakness on both sides. The 1999 Bass appearance of the Eliasberg coin was the last public sale of this extremely rare variety. Indeed, Garrett and Dannreuther cite only this sale and a few other sales since 1994 -- and it appears that two of those sales were of the same specimen.

Two die varieties of the 1797 Large Eagle $5 are known, this overdate variety and the normal date variety represented by a single specimen impounded in the Smithsonian Institution. This obverse shows a remarkably bold overdate, with the nearly complete 5 underdigit boldly visible to the naked eye. It must be counted among the most bold overdates in the entire American series, comparable to the 1942/1-D dime. Were this interesting characteristic the only desirable aspect of this coin, it would be a ready sale to many collectors. This fact, however, combined with the great rarity of this major variety and the visual appeal of this coin, makes for an exciting addition to an advanced collection of early U.S. Mint coins.