1811 $5 Tall 5 MS(PCGS#8110)

The March 2013 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

4186

Grade

AU55

Price

11,163

Lot Description

1811 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-3+. Tall 5. AU-55 (PCGS). Faintly strike doubled on the Tall 5 D, and on many of the reverse letters, this is a sharply struck piece with clash marks, most notably on the obverse, just above the date, where a mirror image of BUS UNU is clearly evident. A highly lustrous coin with pretty yellow-gold toning and few surface flaws. This later die state shows in clear evidence the kinds of trials and tribulations at the early Mint where die clashing was normal, as the dies clanged together without a planchet between them, as the feeder mechanism jammed frequently. Cracks appear too, as the dies crumbled.