1812 $5 MS(PCGS#8112)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3303

Grade

MS60

Price

9,300

Lot Description

Warm deep honey-olive color and more vivid orange-rose iridescence paint this attractive example, complemented by appreciable luster on both sides. The fields are slightly reflective and contrast the more frosted design elements. A raised, curved die line across the upper reverse shield is as-made and serves as an easy diagnostic for this Wide 5 D variety. Subdued in appearance with wispy signs of contact to explain the MS-60 grade; the adjustment marks in the center of the reverse are also as-made. BD Die State b/b.<p>Popular in commerce, half eagles saw extensive use both domestically and abroad. Die life had improved by 1812, so that the entire reported mintage of 58,057 coins 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 par alone, with 10,000 to 15,000 examples coined for BD-2. Even with this fairly substantial mintage, because of mass speculation and melting during the 1820s, less than 1% survive. John W. Dannreuther's (2006) estimate on the number of BD-1 survivors is in the range of 300 to 450 coins.