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Sale 54
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Lot 3360
1809/8 $5 Capped Draped Bust. NGC graded MS-65. A well struck frosty mint gem on a problem free planchet. The brilliant untoned surfaces sparkel with intense frosty mint luster. A total of 33,875 were minted. A golden, mint-fresh example, as crisp and glossy as when it was first released from to the Treasury for distribution nearly two hundred years ago. Hard to believe such a thing is possible. Fortunately for the strike, it, like the luster, is outstanding, in fact, exceptional. A well-struck example with good details. There are no bothersome abrasions or points of wear. One of the nicest specimens of this date we have seen, a coin that will be admired by those who to see it. A short mark left of star #10 along with a faint line in the field extending up from the first star can be used as identifiers; dutiful searching with a glass reveals little else other than a stray faint scuff in the frost or short hairline, the sort of unintentional flaws that are part and parcel of the trip from coining press to the bullion depositor's moneypouch. A great beauty in Gem Mint State compared to lesser quality early gold pieces that may be technically Mint State; we hesitate to call it "world class" quality but where in the world would you locate a finer specimen? A coin for a real connoisseur. Pop 9; none finer (PCGS # 8104) .
Die note: One interesting feature about this piece that Dannreuther mentions in his die variety guide is the large 9 punch employed on this die. It is much larger than the other digits, possibly from the punch set that was used for the Large Date varieties in 1810. The partial numeral under the 9 does not seem to match the curve of an 8 or this 9. As with many other early gold issues, one sometimes has to draw the best conclusion that can be found from the existing examples. Traditionally, all 1809 half eagles are described as 1809/8. As with the other dies made during the employ of John Reich at the mint, star 13 has a small notch out of one point (that which is closest to the rim dentils). Some believe this is his "secret signature" as such an anomaly could not be explained otherwise. (Reich worked at the mint from 1807 until 1817.).
Estimated Value $50,000 - 60,000.
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| Realized $83,375 |
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