1812 $5 MS(PCGS#8112)

1812 $5 MS (PCGS#8112)

The August 2013 Chicago ANA World's Fair of Money

Lot Description: Elegant and Frosty Mint State 1812 Half Eagle 1812 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-3. Wide 5 D. MS-64 (NGC). The obverse and reverse show strong mint luster over desirable greenish to yellow-gold color. Boldly struck too, as each of Liberty's curls and the obverse stars are crisply defined, similar on the reverse where the eagle has strong feather definition. This reverse die was damaged at some point in the coinage process, as there is an unusual die scratch the extends from the upper shield lines into the left wing, other die marks are seen on the right wing too. Perhaps a piece of scrap metal or a tool fell between the dies during coinage and the reverse die suffered a moderate injury. The coiner or engraver addressed this problem by lapping and filing down the depth of the die in the area affected to reduce the visual impact of this to a degree, so the left wing has shallow feathers near the shield. The surfaces are attractive. Confirming the strength of the strike, the reverse has a high fin or wire rim in areas as the collar must have been somewhat loose allowing for a fine ridge of gold to flow into this gap during the strike. Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers While this variety is plentiful enough in lower grades, at the present Choice Mint State level it is quite elusive, although not a great rarity. As such it would seem to be just right for inclusion in a type set. PCGS# 8112. NGC Census: 28; 8 finer (Mint State-65 finest).