LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Dallas Signature Coin Auction #450  / 

1696

1805 $5 MS64 PCGS. Close Date, Breen-6445, BD-2, R.4.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:4,250.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1805 $5 MS64 PCGS. Close Date, Breen-6445, BD-2, R.4.
<B>1805 $5 MS64 PCGS.</B></I> Close Date, Breen-6445, BD-2, R.4. Star 13 is firmly embedded in the bust of Liberty. The 1 in the date has a perfect bottom serif, unlike that on the BD-3 through BD-5 varieties, and the flag of the 5 overlies the bottom of the drapery lines. On the reverse the leaf is free of the I in AMERICA, and IT in UNITED are separated from each other. Harry W. Bass, Jr. owned <I>seven</B></I> examples of this variety, according to the indispensable <I>Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834.</B></I> According to that reference, "The attraction no doubt was due to the fact that this hardy reverse die was used for <I>four</B></I> more varieties and the obverse die shattered. Seeing varieties progress through states, especially those with multiple die combinations, enthralled Harry Bass. He put the <I>pieces</B></I> together like a jigsaw puzzle and every time a new state was encountered, he could put another notch on his numismatic belt."<BR> This is a marvelous piece of early gold. The main attraction here is the smooth, soft mint frost that evenly covers each side. Rarely are early type coins seen with abundant mint luster, regardless of denomination, but it is especially challenging on gold coins. The striking details are generally strong throughout but display a couple of areas of localized weakness. For example, the eagle's breast is fully detailed over the shield, but the left (facing) wing is soft where it joins the shield. Liberty's hair is strongly defined overall, with just a bit of weakness on the bottom of the curls. An exceptionally attractive piece of early gold that will be of interest to advanced collectors both by date and type. Population: 18 in 64, 2 finer (2/07).<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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