308
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Session Three - Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 5:00 pm
E
XCEPTIONAL
G
EM
BU 1809/8 D
RAPED
B
UST
H
ALF
E
AGLE
Enlargement
1927
1809, 9 over 8. BD-1, High Rarity 3. PCGS graded MS-65
. Well struck with lovely golden-orange toning at selected design areas. A well
struck frosty mint Gem on a problem-free planchet. The frosty surfaces glow with intense mint luster. A total of 33,875 pieces were minted,
but rarely have we seen an 1809/8 half eagle as crisp and pleasing to the critical eye of the grading service; and to think it was released from
to the Treasury for distribution over two hundred years ago. The design, the depth of strike, like the luster, is outstanding, in fact, exceptional.
A well-made example with needle-sharp details. There are no bothersome abrasions, adjustment marks, or spots. This is one of the nicest
specimens of this date we have seen, a coin that will be admired by those who view it. A short mark below the eagle's lower beak serves as
an identifier; dutiful searching with a glass reveals little else other than a stray line or minor change in the color of the toning here and there.
A great example 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 find a finer specimen? A coin for a true connoisseur.
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).
Pop 5; 1 finer in 66.
(
PCGS # 8104
)
Estimated Value ........................................................................................................................................................$100,000 - 120,000
E
SPECIALLY
A
TTRACTIVE
S
ELECT
U
NCIRCULATED
1809/8 H
ALF
E
AGLE
Enlargement
1928
1809, 9 over 8. BD-1, High Rarity 3. PCGS graded MS-63
. The only die pairing. One interesting feature about this piece that John Dan-
nreuther 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.).
A nice frosty coin with lovely rich golden toning and only a few tiny marks visible at the center of the obverse. A decidedly attractive piece that
has radiant golden originality. Struck with systematic exactness throughout the stars and main design elements, there is little reason to ignore
the central part of the reverse where, on some dates in the Capped Bust Left series, a severe rounded impression is often left by the dies.
This coin is decidedly bold in the centers and elsewhere. One of only 33,875 pieces struck.
Pop 22; 34 finer, 25 in 64, 3 in 64+, 5 in 65,
1 in 66.
(
PCGS # 8104
)
Estimated Value ........................................................................................................................................................... $22,000 - 23,000
