1795 $5 Small Eagle AU55 NGC.... Early Half Eagles

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Lot: 3574
Auction: 1116

1795 $5 Small Eagle AU55 NGC....

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Sold for:	Sign-in or Join (free & quick) (includes BP) Bid Source: Internet
Ended:	Sep 18, 2008
	Printable Version of Prices Realized for this Auction

Buyer's Premium:	15% of the successful bid (minimum $9.00 per lot)
Auction Name:	*2008 September Long Beach, CA US Coin Signature Auction #1116*
Description:	Heritage Numismatic Auctions offers U.S. and World coins, medals, and tokens in our Signature Auctions & Final Session Sales, held in conjunction with some of the largest numismatic conventions. These sales feature award-winning cataloging and photography. Call or e-mail one of our Consignment Directors to learn about selling through Heritage.
Auction Type:	Signature: Heritage Live: After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.) This lot is in: Signature Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live) (lots 1-4546) Internet bidding ends at 10:00PM CT the night before the floor session for this lot. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Item Activity:	4 Internet/mail bidders, 385 page views

Description

1795 $5 Small Eagle AU55 NGC. Breen-6412, BD-4, R.5. A number of diagnostics easily identify this variety. On the obverse, a point of star 1 touches the hair curl, the tip of the 5 in the date connects to the bust, and star 11 overlaps the Y in LIBERTY. The reverse is distinguished by the central location of the wreath under the O in OF and by the position of the olive branch in relation to the UNI in UNITED.
The obverse of this variant is shared with two other Bass-Dannreuther varieties, namely BD-2 and BD-3, on which it saw earlier use. Thus the earliest die state is die state c, the state of the latest BD-3. In this slightly later die state a crack runs from the rim through star 12 and slightly into the field, but star 1 just barely touches the lowest curl; later in this die state lapping separates the two. (Bass-Dannreuther note that, since this is the last use of this obverse, some pieces [which may have been melted hundreds of years ago] should exist in the terminal die state, presumably showing shattering of the die.)
The reverse of this die marriage, BD Reverse C, is unique to this variety and can be easily distinguished not only by the diagnostics above, but because there are only three berries on the small wreath that the eagle holds in its beak--two outside and one inside.
Bass-Dannreuther estimate that 60 to 75 specimens of this variety exist, making the present coin an attractive potential acquisition for the variety or type collector. From the 30,000-foot perspective, all of the 1795 Small Eagles are important as the first gold coins struck by the U.S. Mint, even if this variety cannot possibly be the absolutely first of that important beginning.
The charming surfaces of this Choice AU example show lovely orange-gold coloration, with a few minor surface ticks consistent with the grade. A small patch of adjustment marks appears from above stars 14 and 15 to below the tip of the bust. Much luster remains, and the overall impression of one of high quality, despite some strike softness on the eagle's head and neck that is usual for the variety.(Registry values: P5) (#8066)

Bid Now on Items Just Like This One
Lot	Bidding Ends	Grade	Service	Current Bid
Auction 1121, Lot 4037	Thursday, January 8, 2009	AU55	PCGS	$32,500.00
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Previous Prices from Heritage Auctions
Lot	Date	Grade	Service	Realized
Auction 372, Lot 8578	Saturday, May 7, 2005	55	NGC	$35,937.50
Auction 318, Lot 7263	Saturday, May 3, 2003	55	NGC	$20,700.00
Auction 1116, Lot 3573	Sunday, September 21, 2008	55	PCGS	$54,625.00
Auction 434, Lot 2274	Saturday, May 12, 2007	55	ANACS	$18,400.00
Auction 422, Lot 3489	Saturday, January 6, 2007	55	PCGS	$51,865.00
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PLEASE NOTE: All prices realized reflect the final hammer price PLUS the buyer's premium in auctions that charge a buyer's premium. Each item has a notation at the top of the listing indicating whether that lot included a buyer's premium. Example: A item that sells with a final hammer price of $100 and a 15% buyer's premium will display with a price realized of $115. All information listed is intended to be as accurate as possible, but errors are possible. Please use this guide carefully and inform us of any inaccuracies.

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