1800 $5.00 PCGS AU55 CAC

BD-2, High R-3. Blunt 1 in date. I paid a lot of money for this coin and it is priced at the level of an AU58. But once you take a quick look at its image (and in person it looks even better!) you will note that it is amazingly choice for the grade with the appearance of a full AU58; if not better. It has become really hard to find nice early gold in the last six+ months and coins like this are quietly being put away by serious, long-term collectors. This piece has absolutely superb deep green-gold and reddish color and it is one of the nicest circulated Capped Bust Right half eagles that I have seen in a number of years. As a date, the 1800 doesn't carry much of a premium over issues like the 1802/1 and 1803/2 but is is considerably scarcer and almost never seen with original color and surfaces. But the date of this coin almost doesn't matter as its "look" is so, so pleasing. I predict that within a few years you will almost never see ultra-crusty circulated early gold like this and I urge you to take advantage of the few remaining chances to purchase coins like these when they become available. CAC has approved ten examples of this date in AU55 with 33 finer.

1800 $5.00 NGC MS63 CAC

BD-2, Rarity-3. Blunt 1 variety. While not given much of a premium over more common dates of this type, the 1800 is a scarce issue in the higher Uncirculated grades and an issue which doesn't get the respect that it deserves. I have built a number of date sets of 1800-1812 half eagles in MS63 and above and nice examples of the 1800 have always proven to be elusive. This high end example has a very fresh appearance with attractive even light green-gold hues on the obverse and the reverse. This coin is really "as struck" and it has the body and appeal of a borderline Gem but there are a few mint-made issues that need to be noted. There is a small, thin vertical planchet flaw on Liberty's face that is hard to see as well as some very faint adjustment marks at the obverse center. On the reverse, there is a tiny crack in the planchet that curves from the top of the arrows into the shield. But other than these, the surfaces are immaculate and the overall eye appeal is well above average for the date. There have been just two MS63 examples of the 1800 half eagle in MS63 sold at auction in the last two+ years.

Ex Heritage 10/11: 4859 where it brought $29,900.

1800 $5.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

BD-5, High Rarity-3. Terminal reverse die state with cracks as shown on the BD plate coin. I've always thought that this issue had a highness "coolness factor" due to the fact that it is the first half eagle produced in the 19th century. As a date, the 1800 is underrated in all grades and it becomes really scarce in MS62 and rare in MS63 and above. This coin is exceptional for the date with light green-gold color atop reflective, slightly PL surfaces; the reverse is a bit more frosty in texture. Both sides show just a few marks consistent with the grade and the strike is sharp except for the absolute center of the obverse; a characteristic seen on all examples of this die variety. As I have written before, MS62 is a great value point for early half eagles as coins in this grade are generally nice but priced considerable lower than those in MS63 holders. This 1800 half eagle would make a great type example for the collector searching for a high quality Capped Bust Right half eagle.