1812 $5 MS(PCGS#8112)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3185

Grade

MS64+

Price

66,000

Lot Description

The memorable eye appeal of this near-Gem Mint State 1812 half eagle is enhanced by a bold to sharp strike and rich orange-gold color. Light adjustment marks in the center of the reverse are as made and, while they inhibit the detail in that area, the eagle is otherwise smartly impressed. Overall smooth and nearly in the full Gem category, this premium quality example is worthy of a strong bid. The reverse is rotated approximately 30 degrees counterclockwise from normal coin alignment. BD Die State a/a.<p>1812 proved to be a year of noteworthy events. Napoleon invaded Russia and won a decisive (and bloody) victory at Borodino, later commemorated by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in his <em>1812 Overture</em>, one of the most recognized classical music compositions of all time. Domestically, enmity between the United States and Great Britain came to a head, beginning the War of 1812. It was also in this year that a word in common parlance today was first used in print, when the <em>Boston Gazette</em> described Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry's redrawing of legislative districts as a "Gerrymander."<p>Popular in commerce at the time, half eagles saw extensive use both domestically and abroad. Die life had improved by 1812, so that the entire reported mintage of 58,057 pieces was accomplished from only two die pairings (and this is likely an underestimate of the true quantity struck). These two pairings are readily identified by examining the reverse: BD-1, as here, has a very widely spaced 5 D, while BD-2 has the denomination compact. BD-1 forms the bulk of the production with maybe 45,000 to 60,000 pieces struck from this die pair alone, along with 10,000 to 15,000 examples of BD-2. Even with this fairly substantial mintage, because of mass speculation and melting during the 1820s, less than 1% survive to this day. Good fortune has smiled down on today's numismatists as a fairly decent population of AU and lower Mint State examples survive. Gem examples are the exception and are very rare. The present exceptionally well preserved near-Gem from the Chicago Collection, with its green CAC sticker, is an especially desirable example for inclusion in another high grade type cabinet.