Lot 2239
1798 $5 Capped Bust. Large eagle, large 8, 13 stars. . M-27, Rarity 3. NGC graded MS-62. Large wide date; breaks at ES OF. Well struck with an abundance of mint luster present. Many would not consider owning an early U.S. gold piece because of the monetary outlay involved, but he probably wasn't looking at this rich orange-gold beauty from 1798. It is outstanding in almost every detail, though a slightly ineffectual imprint was left by the rebound of the dies that struck the central devices. Choice rims; problem-free fields and devices. Pop 6; 5 finer; 3 in 63; 2 in 64. (PCGS # 8078) .
President Adams and his wife were the first residents of the White House. When they moved in in November 1800, the paint was still wet. Before they actually arrived at their destination, however, they got lost in the woods north of the city for several hours. One wonders if John Adams might have used a contemporary $5 gold piece like this 1798 half eagle to pay the delivery van driver?
Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000.
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