LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 (ANA) Signature Coin Auction #444  / 

1911

1812 $5 MS64 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:28,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1812 $5 MS64 PCGS
<B>1812 $5 MS64 PCGS.</B></I> Wide 5 D. B. 1-B, Miller-118, R.3. Capped Bust Left half eagles are among the most elusive of all U.S. coins. These coins were struck at a time when the bullion content of U.S. gold and silver coins exceeded their face value, thus encouraging melting. While many coins of this type were forever lost due to melting, the situation worsened in subsequent decades, making the next design (Capped Head Left) arguably the rarest gold type coin in U.S. numismatics. This situation continued until, after much debate, Congress remedied the problem by slightly reducing the gold content in quarter eagles and half eagles in 1834. The Capped Bust Left type is occasionally available at public auction, and sometimes even in high grades, such as this piece.<BR> This is a luminous and nearly unblemished MS64 example of this coveted early gold type. The strike is essentially full throughout the obverse, while the reverse strike shows only slight softness near the PL in PLURIBUS and the right border of the left (facing) wing. Minor, mint-made adjustment marks are noted on the reverse border near 4 and 10 o'clock, and to the left of the horizontal shield lines. What appears, at first glance, to be an abrasion within the shield is actually a die scratch of mint origin and is, in fact, present on all examples of Breen 1-B. A second die scratch extends from the rim at 2 o'clock to the wing. Population: 38 in 64, 5 finer (6/07).<BR><I>From The Julian Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> John Reich<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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