Lot 1924
1798. Large Eagle, Small 8. BD-6, Rarity 6. PCGS graded MS-61. This 1798 half eagle is the BD-6 variety which is identified by the 8 that touches Liberty’s bust, and the fat 1 in the date. A number of crisscrossing mint-made adjustment marks are noted at the center of the obverse. The reverse shows an irregular cross pattern of stars above the eagle with oddly spaced rows of two. The left foot of the A in AMERICA is near the tip of feather 4. Part of the rarity of this coin is attributed to the early failure of the obverse die. It was used only for this variety while the reverse die was used again in 1799. This new design, the Heraldic Eagle reverse, is identical to the one used on silver coins of 1798 to 1807. It is the only time a United States gold coin used the same obverse or reverse design as a non-gold coin. Early gold half eagles were struck in very small numbers. All of the varieties of 1798 had a total mintage of 24,867 pieces, many of which were melted prior to 1834. The Rarity 6 rating of this variety indicates that just 30 to 40 pieces are known in all grades.
Original mint luster peaks out from within the devices. The strike is about average with pronounced weakness at the centers of each side due, in part, to the filing made at the mint to adjust the weight of the planchet. The surfaces are original and, for the grade, free of individual post-striking marks worthy of description. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS. (PCGS # 8079) .
Estimated Value $35,000 - 40,000.
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