1807 $5 Draped Bust MS(PCGS#8092)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2015

Grade

MS64

Price

32,400

Lot Description

BD Die State d/b. A splendid early half eagle, this piece exhibits a high degree of prooflike character on obverse and reverse, having been struck from polished dies. Scattered marks are seen here and there, typical of the grade, but the only one worthy of individual mention for provenance purposes is a small reeding mark in the upper right obverse field, under the letter E in LIBERTY. The strike detail is quite good, indeed far nicer than usually seen for this challenging design type. A beautiful coin and highly important half eagle for advanced gold enthusiasts.<p>In 1807, Robert Scot's Capped Bust Right design was replaced by the Capped Bust Left motif of John Reich for the half dollars and the half eagles. John W. Dannreuther (2006) estimates that 32,488 to 33,496 half eagles were struck in 1807 from four Capped Bust Right obverse dies and three reverse dies in a total of six known die marriages for this type. The BD-2 variety, represented here, is thought to have accounted for only 4,000 to 6,000 of these coins, and the author accounts for just 50 to 60 survivors in all grades. As with many of the gold coins from this era, most half eagles of this issue were destroyed when they were sold by speculators for profit as bullion. In Mint State, and irrespective of die pairing, the 1807 Capped Bust Right $5 is an absolute condition rarity. Most Uncirculated survivors are at the very lowest tiers and many show soft details at the center on the obverse. Finding a sharply struck near-Gem Mint State example is quite an achievement, and the present offering is certainly worthy of premium bids.