1820 $5 Square-Base 2 MS(PCGS#8125)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auktionator

Stack's Bowers

Losnummer

3190

Erhaltungsgrad

MS63+

Preis

57.600

Losbeschreibung

Sharply to fully struck with intense satin to semi-reflective luster, this 1820 half eagle is a beautiful example of an elusive and conditionally challenging early design type. Displaying even, handsome medium gold color, the technical quality and eye appeal of this coin are truly impressive. BD Die State b.<p>The dies for half eagles of 1820 used two different logotypes for the numeral 2. The four die combinations (three obverses and four different reverses) known for the Square-Base 2 <em>Guide Book</em> variety all used large letter punches. These four die pairs were responsible for coining roughly half the 263,806 half eagles reported struck in 1820. The mintage figures belie the true rarity of the issue. Because Congress specified a gold to silver ratio of 15 to 1, when the price of gold rose overseas, the intrinsic value exceeded face value, leading many to hoard gold coins and ship them abroad to sell for a profit. This explains the overall paucity of early gold coins that survived to the present. With rarities ranging from R5 to R7+, no variety of this issue can be considered common. Despite having only 20 to 25 pieces known, the BD-2 die pair is one of the more available. BD-3 is twice as available, while the BD-1 and BD-4 combined do not equal that of the BD-2's surviving population. Luckily a small cluster of Mint State examples are known and the 1820 as an issue can be obtained in high grade. Exquisite Choice specimens earning a Plus designation from PCGS along with CAC's mark of approval are exceptional condition rarities. This extraordinary offering from the Chicago Collection deserves the utmost in bidder attention.