1812 $5.00 NGC MS64

BD-1. R-3. Wide 5D variety. Struck from unclashed dies. This is a fresh and really lovely example of a Capped Bust Left half eagle. It has totally original color with rich green-gold shadings that deepen at the borders. The strike is as sharp as one could hope for with just a small amount of weakness at the centers; the borders show full denticles and radial lines on the stars. The obverse is virtually of Gem quality save for a few minor scuffs in the fields; the reverse shows a few minor vertical adjustment marks at the center that blend in with the detail. What appears to be "damage" on the reverse is actually a mint-made defect through the horizontal lines in the shield that is found on all examples of this variety. While readily available in the lower Uncirculated grades, the 1812 becomes scarce in MS63 and it is rare in MS64. A Gem, if available, would cost in excess of $100,000. For most collectors, this borderline Gem example would be a perfect representative of this design.