Lot 2267
1813 $5 Capped Head. . Breen-1A. PCGS graded MS-63. Well struck. Lightly toned and frosty. The surfaces are highly lustrous and each side has a light coating of greenish yellow to golden patina that swirls and alternates slightly between lighter and darker hues. A razor-sharp strike, as well as without the usual distracting clash marks, a most appealing coin for the issue. This is the first variety of 1813 half eagle, with a different reverse die than that displayed at Breen-1B. A quick attribution point is the position of the first S in STATES, in relation to the E directly below. On this variety, 1A, the serif is over the center of E. On the 1B reverse, the lower left serif of S is over the upright of E. Pop 52; 55 finer. (PCGS # 8116) .
John Reich joined the Mint's engraving staff in April 1807 and remained until 1817. This new large capped bust design is a modification of his earlier fuller bust introduced on 1807 half eagles. Issues dated 1813 through 1815 are clearly the work of Reich, with his signature scalloped star at lower right. (Note the indentation on the side of the southeast ray of the 13th star.) This same feature may be seen on all three obverse dies, dated 1813, 1814/3, and 1815.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 17,000.
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| Realized $20,125 |
