Lot 1441
1808 $5 Capped Draped Bust. PCGS graded MS-62 BD-3, Rarity 4. Nicely toned and frosty. An very attractive, spinning-fresh half eagle whose naturally toned surfaces spread light with originality over both sides. There is some faint die clashing noted around the devices on both sides. Unlike the Capped Bust fives one sees with diminished impression left by a weak blow of the (possibly worn) dies, this handsome '08 half eagle is very sharp from top to bottom, centers to margins. Pop 27; 27 finer; 16 in 63; 10 in 64; 1 in 65. (PCGS # 8102) .
In 1807, following the coinage of some of the old-style pieces, John Reich redesigned the half eagle. The new capped bust style is the forerunner of that adopted a year later for the quarter eagle. The obverse depicts Liberty facing left, wearing a cloth cap inscribed LIBERTY, with seven stars to the left and six to the right.
The reverse shows an eagle perched on a palm branch, holding three arrows, with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on a ribbon or band above. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 5 D. surrounds.
This new format was continued through 1812. The brief span of this design yielded a coinage estimated at 399,013 pieces.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 16,000.
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