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1807 $5 Bust. Bust L PCGS MS65

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1807 $5 Bust. Bust L PCGS MS65
<b>1807 &#36;5 Capped Draped Bust. Bust left. PCGS graded MS65.</b> Breen 5-D. Encased in PCGS holder #50034996. A richly lustrous and very attractive example of the first year of John Reich&#39;s capped bust to left design, a motif that was used only through 1812 before modification. The obverse possesses a needle-sharp strike, including the hair, the star centers, and dentils, a virtual definition of this design, while the reverse is similarly remarkable. The luster is satiny as well as beautiful, and the color is warm gold with subtle tints of apricot-orange. All told this is one of the gemmiest early half eagles we have ever seen. For the type set enthusiast it will certainly be a special occasion. If you need this design for your collection, don&#39;t put your hands in your pockets and turn away because you fear you may be outbid. Just sit right down, lean your back against your chair, square your shoulders, and meet the challenge when it arrives. If you feel like it, growl at the competition, this sometimes unnerves them. A magnificent gem!

John Reich designed this handsome work of art. Of German stock and an early immigrant to America, Reich did contract work for the Mint in the 19th century, and by 1807 was signed as an assistant on the staff. He worked for a decade under Chief Engraver Robert Scot, creating new motifs including the capped bust coinage as here and also what used to be called the turban head, but what is now referred to as &#34;classic head&#34; cent of 1808 &#40;a motif he used shortly after for the half cent of 1809 and, years later, copied for use on the quarter eagle and half eagle of 1834&#41;.

Reich was a talented engraver and &#34;signed&#34; his dies with a secret mark that appears as a tiny nick in the outer point of the 13th stars &#40;the final star on the right&#41; on all half eagle dies while he was employed at the mint. After he left, the &#34;signature&#34; disappears, never to return.

BLAZING GEM 1807 HALF EAGLE <b>&#40;PCGS # 8101&#41;</b> <i>
The Springdale Collection of Early U.S. Gold Coins.</i>

Our item number 120425