State of the Market Report: Early United States Gold Coinage

In the last five years, early United States gold has been one of the most active areas in the coin market. In this article, we will examine each of the major types of pre-1834 gold coinage and see how the market has performed. In addition, we will look at some future trends and make some predictions which may be of interest to the specialist. Early coinage has always been a popular area with collectors but all pre-1834 gold types have been just about the most avidly collected area of the coin market since the beginning of the current bull market. I think this is attributable to a number of factors including the following:

* In 2000, the oldest early gold coins became three centuries old which added a sense of age that was very impressive in comparison to more modern issues.

* Some excellent books and specialized research tools made these coins more accessible to new collectors.

* A number of dealers (myself included) steered many wealthy new collectors into this area of the market due to the "coolness factor" of these coins. The resulting spike in demand significantly reduced the already limited availability of these coins, resulting in an increase in price.

* Some important old-time collections (Pittman, Bass and others) came on the market, making a number of seldom-seen early gold pieces available to collectors. This spurred interest and a number of new collections were begun as a result.

I. Quarter Eagles, 1796 to 1834

A. Draped Bust No Stars, 1796 Only

As one might expect, this celebrated one-year type has seen a huge increase in price and demand in the past five years. In 2002, it was possible to find a nice AU example in the $60,000-70,000 range. Today, a similar coin is going to cost a collector $125,000 to $150,000.

I wouldn’t have a problem with this price increase except for the fact that grading standards for this type have become very lax in the last few years. Most of the 1796 No Stars quarter eagles that I see in AU holders are very low-end, unoriginal coins that would have been graded EF as recently as a few years ago. I still love this type and would recommend it to a wealthy collector as a blue-chip investment vehicle but I think great caution has to be taken when buying $100,000+ examples of this type.

The high water mark for this issue was in June 2005 when a superb PCGS MS65 example sold at auction for $1.38 million.

B. Draped Bust With Stars, 1796-1807

Five years ago, it was still possible for the collector of slightly above-average means to purchase a respectable example of this type. Today, the rarity of the With Stars quarter eagle type has been widely acknowledged and it is almost impossible to find a problem-free example for less than $15,000-20,000.

That said, I still think that this type is a great value and that it is undervalued when compared to the half eagles and eagles of this era. I am especially fond of the 1790’s dated issues. They have clearly risen in value, although nowhere near as much as the 1796 No Stars. As an example, I purchased a decent PCGS AU53 1797 quarter eagle in an auction in 2003 for around $50,000. Today, this coin would sell for around $70,000-80,000. An AU 1798 was worth around $30,000 five years ago and today it might sell in the $50,000-60,000 range. My gut feeling is that nice quality examples of these two dates aren’t going to be available for much longer at these levels and they should be purchased if and when they become available.

The 1802/1, 1804 14 Stars, 1805 and 1807 are the more common dates of this type. All four of these have become nearly impossible to locate with original color and surfaces. A common “type” example of one of these dates in the MS61 to MS62 range was reasonably available five years ago for around $20,000. Today, such a coin would cost $30,000-35,000 but most of the pieces I see in MS61 and MS62 holders are very unappealing. I have been advising collectors for many years that this type is undervalued and, despite the price rise in the past five years, I still believe that this is the case.

C. Capped Bust Left, 1808 only

As with all significant one year early type coins, the value of the 1808 quarter eagle has risen dramatically in the past five years. Today, a solid AU example is worth in the $100,000-150,000 range. Five years ago, it was possible to find an AU priced in the $40,000-50,000 range.

I wouldn’t have any qualms with the new price levels for this date if I actually liked many of the 1808 quarter eagles that I have viewed in the past year or two. The days of finding choice, original pieces in EF and AU holders may well be over, although I have seen a few examples in the last year graded AU55 and AU58 that I thought were acceptable for the grade.

I would expect that there will be some leveling off on prices for this issue in the coming year or two, if only because levels have risen so dramatically since 2002-2003. That said, I think a choice, attractive 1808 quarter eagle is a great coin to purchase. As long as there are collectors assembling type sets of early gold, there always is a very strong demand level for this one-year type.

D. Capped Bust Large Size, 1821-1827

Five years ago, I was literally begging clients to purchase examples of this type. This was one area of the early gold market that $10,000 would go a long way and this figure would buy you an impressive example of a legitimately scarce coin. The rap against early quarter eagles back then was that the coins were “too small” and that they were “too rare for their own good.” I thought these were silly reasons for these coins to be undervalued and, today, they seem positively quaint, given the new level of respect and interest that early quarter eagles command. Nevertheless, I still feel that quarter eagles of this type remain the most undervalued early U.S. gold coins.

The sort of coin that was available five years ago for $10,000+ is now more realistically a $20,000+ coin; not to mention the fact that it has become very hard to locate. But I still feel that any date in this series is an excellent value. I especially like the underrated 1821 and the low-mintage 1826.

I don’t think that the future of this type is date collecting as these coins are simply too challenging for most collectors. I think that the future is as a type coin and I would anticipate that five years from now it will be very difficult to find a nice, problem-free Capped Bust Large Size quarter eagle for much less than $30,000+.

E. Capped Bust Small Size, 1829-1834

The quarter eagles produced between 1829 and 1833 have also seen a surge of interest in the past five years. In 2002, you could buy a nice AU example of any of these dates for $7,500 or so. Today, a similar coin will cost you $12,500-15,000. Five years ago, an MS63 example of this type could be purchased for around $15,000-20,000. Today, a similar coin is more likely to cost in the area of $30,000-35,000.

I’d like to think that at least part of the reason that this type has shown such strong price increases in the last five years is due to the continual urging I’ve given clients to buy these coins. I have often written that I felt these were the best values in the early gold market. I still feel this way, although I have been pretty disappointed at the quality of a number of the coins I have seen lately in MS60 to MS63 holders.

That said, I think the future of this series remains very bright. Despite small original mintage figures, these coins exist in large enough numbers to make collecting by date a possibility. The stopper in the series remains the 1834 which, curiously, has become impossible to locate. I am not aware of a single example of this date appearing at auction since October 2004 and only two separate problem-free pieces appearing at auction since 2000. The last piece to sell was a PCGS AU55 which brought $35,600. Today, the same coin could bring as much as $65,000-75,000.

II. Half Eagles, 1795 to 1834

A. Draped Bust Small Eagle, 1795-1798

This type includes two relatively obtainable issues (the 1795 Small Eagle and the 1796/5) and three rarities (the 1797 15 and 16 Stars and the 1798 Small Eagle).

The 1795 has become one of the most popular early United States gold coins and for good reason. It is one of the first two gold coins struck by this country, it is charmingly designed and generally well produced and it can be found in relatively high grades. Five years ago, a collector could expect to find a nice AU for around $15,000 and a properly graded MS62 for around $50,000. Today, a nice AU should cost in the area of $40,000-50,000 while an MS62 will run around $100,000. I still recommend purchasing this issue in nearly any grade, as I feel it is a coin that will always be in great demand. I would definitely caution the new collector to seek an example with good eye appeal, nice surfaces and as much original coloration as possible. Nice, original coins are becoming extremely hard to find and I think they will begin to command a huge premium in the coming years.

The 1796/5 half eagle is many times scarcer than its 1795 Small Eagle counterpart but it does not command as much of a premium as one might expect. This has to do with the fact that it is not a first-year issue and, thus, is not as “sexy” a date. The 1796/5 has proven to be very rare and it is generally only offered at major auctions. I highly recommend this issue and feel that it is still an excellent value at its current level of $50,000-60,000 for a solid AU coin.

The great rarity of this type is the 1798 Small Eagle of which only seven or eight pieces are currently known. The last example to sell was a PCGS EF40 that brought $264,500 at auction in June 2000. I think this coin would easily sell for $500,000 today and I think a slightly nicer example, if available, could break the $1 million mark with ease.

B. Draped Bust Large Eagle, 1795-1807

For most collectors this type is dividable into at least two groups: the issues struck from 1795 to 1799 and those produced from 1800 to 1807.

The 18th century Draped Bust Large Eagle half eagles have proven to be extremely popular with collectors in recent years. As one can readily guess, they became especially popular around 2000, once they turned three centuries old. The two reasonably available issues are the 1798 and the 1799. These have both seen dramatic price increases in the last five years. As an example, a nice AU 1799 half eagle was worth $7,500-10,000 in 2002. Today, such a coin is valued at $15,000+. The increase in value is more dramatic in higher grades. Five years ago, with some careful searching, it was possible to find an MS63 1799 half eagle for around $40,000. Today, if such a coin became available (good luck convincing the guy who bought one in 2002 to sell his today!) it would sell for $65,000-75,000. Despite the new, higher levels, I still like the concept of an 18th century half eagle and would advise collectors to be on the lookout for nice 1798 and 1799 half eagles in EF45 and higher.

The common date half eagles from 1800 to 1807 have also shot up in value. Five years ago, nice AU coins were easily located in the $4,000-5,000 range. Today, similar coins are worth $10,000-12,500. I have mixed feelings about the value levels of these coins. Clearly, at around $5,000 they were very fairly priced. At $10,000 they are no longer cheap, especially when one considers the relative availability of these coins. I will no longer buy these common date half eagles for inventory unless they are wholesome, choice original coins with very good eye appeal. If they are bright-n-shiny, riddled with adjustment marks or vastly overgraded, low end coins, I will almost always pass.

What about higher grade common dates of this type? Five years ago, you could have purchased a common date in MS63 for around $12,500-15,000 and an MS64 for around $20,000-22,500. Today, the former costs around $25,000 and the latter runs $40,000-50,000+. I have mixed feelings about these. I think a fresh, original MS63 in the mid-20’s is still an excellent purchase and would recommend it to a collector or an investor. I’m a little less excited about a common date in MS64 at around $50,000 unless the coin is extremely high end and looks like it could gradeflate to an MS65 someday.

C. Capped Bust Left, 1808-1812

The Capped Bust Left half eagles are the most available and affordable early gold issues. They have proven to be remarkably plentiful in the AU50 to MS62 grade range and this makes them popular with collectors. For some reason, this type has never really appealed all that much to me. I don’t really care for the design and the relative availability of these coins make them seem like the Morgan Dollars of early gold.

In spite of my obvious early gold snobbery, this type has proven to be popular with collectors. It is the only series of early half eagles that could be realistically completed by date and there are a number of interesting varieties as well. In 2002, a nice AU type example was easily purchased for $3,500-4,500. Today, a nice AU commands $7,500-9,000+. Five years ago, a really nice MS63 common date was worth $12,000-14,000. Today, this same coin is worth $20,000+.

My opinion has changed on the desirability of this type. I generally like the quality of slabbed AU examples more than I do for the earlier Draped Bust type and I think any nice, original AU example that can be purchased for less than $10,000 is pretty decent value in today’s market. I have mixed feelings about higher grade examples. If I’m going to buy a $20,000+ MS63 for my inventory, it had better be a high end, attractive coin with original color and surfaces. Same holds true for an MS64, especially since we’re talking $40,000+ for a common date.

D. Capped Bust, Large Size 1813-1829

It’s hard for me to discuss this series without getting passionate as Fat Head Fives are probably my favorite series in the early gold issues. Why? Well, it’s clearly not the beauty of the design as this is arguably the most homely United States gold coin ever struck. For me, it’s all about the rarity and these coins are amazingly rare. When you kick out the “common” 1813 and 1814/3, the coins in this series range from downright rare (1818, 1820 and 1823) to virtually impossible (1819, 1821, 1824-1829). And we won’t even begin to mention the classic rarities like the 1815, 1822 and 1825/4.

The really rare coins in this series are hard to monitor as they trade so infrequently. When I look back at what prices were like in 2002, they seem amazingly cheap by today’s standards. As an example, in February of that year, a PCGS AU58 1827 sold in the Goldberg’s Benson II auction for $19,550. Today, a properly graded example is worth triple this amount.

What about the common 1813? Five years ago, a nice AU example would have cost you $4,000-5,000. Today, you’d have to pay around $10,000. In my opinion, this date is still a great value at less than $10,000. In 2002, a nice MS63 1813 would have been priced at around $12,500. Today, the same coin is worth $20,000. Again, I think it is an excellent value as it is the only reasonably obtainable date of this rare type and properly graded MS63’s are far, far scarcer than common date Capped Bust Left and Capped Bust Right half eagles despite being similarly priced.

E. Capped Bust, Small Size 1829-1834

As rare as the Large Planchet type of Fat Head half eagles is, the Small Planchet is even rarer. At least with the earlier type, the collector has a chance to buy such relatively common and affordable issues as the 1813 and the 1814/3. But the Small Planchet type offers no such chance for collectors with limited budgets. This is a series with seriously rare coins with seriously high price tags. And rightfully so.

If you were smart enough to be purchasing 1829-1834 half eagles in 2002, give yourself a large pat on the back. You are smart and you made yourself a lot of money. Let’s say you decide that you want to start buying these coins in 2007. How does the future of your investment look? I’d say pretty good. Now that nearly everyone understands how rare these coins are and appreciates them, I think the levels for the series will continue to soar. I’d just give my usual warning on expensive coins: if you are going to pay $50,000+ for a fat Head half eagle, make certain you know what you are doing. Buy a coin that is attractive for the date and grade and which is original as possible.

So there you have it: the DWN State of the Market Report on early gold coinage. I doubt if anything I wrote in this article is terribly surprising to people who read my articles on a normal basis. I’ve always loved early gold and I will continue to be an active participant in this market for as long as I am a coin dealer.

Fat Head Fives: A Date By Date Analysis Part One: 1813-1824

The half eagles struck from 1813 through 1834 have been given the appellation of the “Fat Head” design, due to the uncommonly large size of Liberty’s head and neck. John Reich’s half eagles of this era certainly have a “so ugly it’s charming” quality about them. But while they will probably never win a beauty contest, they are a fascinating series of coins which contain a host of great rarities. There are two major types of half eagle known with this design. The first, struck from 1813 to 1829, has a smaller bust with a larger sized planchet. There were a total of 667,536 pieces produced. The second, struck from 1829 through 1834, was modified by William Kneass and these coins show size reduction in the date, stars and lettering as a reduced diameter. There were 700,279 coins struck.

The Fat Head half eagles are a good example why a coin’s true rarity can not be gauged solely by its original mintage figure. The vast majority of half eagles struck between 1813 and 1834 were melted and the survival rate for most dates tends to be well under 1% of the original production.

Very few collectors attempt to collect Fat Head half eagles by date. This is due to the extreme rarity of most of these coins and their per-coin price levels. There is only one date in the entire series that is reasonably available (the 1813) and one (the 1822) is considered by many collectors to be among the greatest of all United States numismatic rarities. That said, these coins have become very popular with collectors in the past few years.

This date-by-date analysis is not meant to be a standard reference on this series. Rather, I intend to touch on some basic points on each date so that the collector can make informed decisions if and when he is considering the addition of one of these coins for his type (or date) set.

1813

As mentioned above, the 1813 is by far the most available date of this type. There were a total of 95,428 struck of which an estimated 600-900+ are known today. This is one of the few dates of this design that appears to have actually circulated and examples can be found in grades as low as Extremely Fine. The 1813 is reasonably common in all circulated grades and can even be found in the lower Uncirculated grades without a huge amount of effort. It becomes rare in MS63 and it is very rare in properly graded MS64. Gems are extremely rare. Most 1813 half eagles are yellow-gold or green-gold and have very frosty luster. The strike is usually sharp at the centers but weak at the borders with many of the denticles not completely defined. I have seen a number with adjustment marks and others with dark spots. Due to the availability of this date, it is the perfect Fat Head Five for the collector seeking a single piece for a type set.

There are two varieties known. The more common shows the first S in STATES over the right side of the E in E PLURIBUS UNUM. The scarcer variety has the first S over the left side of the E.

1814/3

The mintage for this date has traditionally been believed to be 15,454 coins but some contemporary researchers believe that the actual figure might be as low as 10,000. Given the fact that there are probably no more than 75-100 examples known, I would tend to concur with the lower mintage. This variety shows a clear overdate and it is considerably rarer than the 1813 although it does not get a substantial premium over this common issue, especially in lower grades. The 1814/3 tends to be much better struck than the 1813 with strong detail noted at the centers and borders. The color is typically a deep green-gold hue which is sometimes accentuated by orange-gold shadings. The luster is frosty but not as good as seen as on the 1813. The 1814/3 is usually seen in AU to MS61 grades. It is very scarce in MS62 and rare in properly graded MS63. This is a very rare issue in MS64 and I am not aware of a single coin that could be called a Gem by today’s standards.

There is just a single variety known. The reverse is the same as seen on the second variety struck in 1813 and it was also used to produce the very rare 1815 half eagles.

1815 The 1815 has the lowest mintage figure of any half eagle of this type. Only 635 are believed to have been struck. There are approximately a dozen pieces known and this includes five pieces that are housed in museums. The last example to be sold was the lovely AU58 from the Bass collection that was previously in the Eliasberg sale. It sold for $103,500 in 1999, a figure that seems extremely cheap today. There is a single Gem known (ex: Naftzger collection) which is graded MS65 by PCGS and is in a well-known private collection that, in my opinion, is one of the most impressive early gold coins in existence. This tends to be a well-produced issue with a good strike. The Bass II: 805; Eliasberg coin has superb rich coppery coloration and the other Bass coin (ex Norweb, Farouk), which is housed in the ANA Museum, is attractively toned as well.

All 1815 half eagles have the same reverse as that seen on the second variety of 1813 half eagles and on all 1814’s.

1818

There were no half eagles struck in 1816 or 1817. Coinage resumed in 1818 and a total of 48,588 pieces were produced. There are three important varieties known and these are as follows:

Normal Reverse: This variety is easily distinguished by ample space between the words STATES and OF. This is the second most available of the three varieties. There are around five to six dozen pieces known. Unlike the other two varieties, the Normal reverse is sometimes seen in relatively low grades; I have personally handled at least two in EF40. This variety is most often seen in AU50 to AU55 and it is quite scarce in the lower Uncirculated grades. It is rare in properly graded MS62 and very rare in MS63 or better. There is a single MS65 that has been graded by PCGS while NGC shows a solitary Gem as well. This is the best struck of the three varieties and most are very bold at the centers and borders. Most have rich orange-gold color, very frosty luster and numerous marks on the surfaces.

STATESOF Reverse: On this variety, there is no spacing between these words. It is the most available of the three 1818 half eagles with as many as 125-150 pieces believed to exist. This variety is seldom seen in grades below AU55, suggesting that it did not see a great deal of commercial usage. It is somewhat available in the lower Uncirculated grades and sometimes seen in grades as high as MS63 but it is very rare above this. PCGS has graded one coin in MS66 (ex: Norman Stack type set) which is among the best Fat Head half eagles of this type that I have ever seen. This variety is often somewhat weak at the centers and some of the denticles are not fully brought up as well. The luster is often frosty and the natural coloration is a handsome canary yellow hue.

5D/50 Reverse: This is the rarest of the three varieties known for this year but it is not as rare as has been claimed in the past. This variety was created when the D in 5D was inadvertently punched over a 0. This reverse was used again in 1819. There are an estimated 30-40 pieces known and most are in the AU55 to MS60 range. PCGS has graded two Gems (an MS65 and an MS66) and there appear to be around four to six pieces known in the MS63 to MS64 range. The strike is usually somewhat weak at the borders while the curls are not fully brought up. The natural coloration is a distinctive green-gold hue while the luster is very frosty and sometimes has some semi-prooflike reflectiveness in the fields. Most examples are somewhat scuffy and at least a few have light mint-made adjustment marks.

1819

While the mintage figure for this date is reported to be 51,723, it is believed that this might include coins dated 1820. Whatever the actual number struck (and I personally believe the number is significantly lower than 51,723), the 1819 is unquestionably a very rare coin with an estimated 20-30 pieces known. There are two significant varieties known to exist. The first uses the 5D/50 reverse that is found on 1818 half eagles. This is the more available of the two and it is likely that around 15-22 exist. This includes one or two Gems (PCGS and NGC have both graded coins MS65 although I am not certain if these are the same) and a small number in the MS63 to MS64 range.

The second variety of 1819 half eagle has a different date with the numerals much closer and a normal reverse without the 5D/50 blunder. This is a very rare coin with as few as 5-8 examples known. PCGS has only graded one in any grade (an MS61) while NGC has graded two (an EF40 and an MS60 which may be the same coin as the PCGS MS61). This variety is typically seen only in great collections of early gold and it generally appears at the rate of once every two or three years at auction.

1820

There were more half eagles struck in 1820 than in any other year between the advent of this denomination in 1795 and the beginning of the Classic Head design in 1834. The mintage is reported to be 263,806 but this is somewhat misleading as the great majority of these coins were melted. Today, the 1820 is much scarcer than the 1813 but it is more available than the 1818 and 1814/3. There are no less than nine die varieties of 1820 half eagles including a number of extreme rarities. Most advanced collectors focus on the major varieties of this issue of which there are three. These are as follows:

Square Base 2, Large Letters: There are four die variations of this obvious, naked-eye variety. On the obverse, the base of the 2 is flat while the reverse has the A and the second T in STATES close at the base. This variety is easily the most available of the 1820 half eagles. It is almost always seen in Uncirculated grades and this suggests that most were either melted soon after they were struck or were stored in banks and did not enter commerce. Survivors often have exceptional luster which can be frosty or prooflike in texture and vivid rich yellow-gold or green-gold shadings. Most of the Uncirculated coins that exist are in the MS62 to MS63 range. The current population at PCGS in MS64 (55 coins!) is greatly inflated by resubmissions and Gems are extremely rare.

Curved Base 2, Large Letters: There are two die variations of the 1820 Curved Base 2, Large Letters. The more available of the two has the tip of the bottom arrowhead pointing to the outside of the C in AMERICA. It is unlikely that more than two dozen 1820 Curved Base 2, Large Letters half eagles are known. Most of these are Uncirculated coins and many of these are choice examples that grade in the MS63 to MS64 range. The finest known is a PCGS MS66. When available, this variety tends to come very well struck, with excellent luster and superb green-gold or rich yellow-gold coloration. A Proof exists in the Bass collection at the ANA Museum and this is regarded as the earliest known Proof half eagle. It is an absolutely spectacular coin in person!

Curved Base 2, Small Letters: Three die varieties of the 1820 Curved Base 2 Small Letters are known and all are very rare. In all, it is likely that fewer than fifteen examples exist with nearly all of these grading Uncirculated. Interestingly, the last three that I have seen have all been Gems (two were graded MS65 by PCGS while one was graded MS65 by NGC) and all were superb pieces with amazing detail, blazing semi-prooflike and frosty texture and rich green-gold coloration.

1821

The 1821 is a date that does not receive as much attention as other half eagles from this decade but it is a major rarity. There were reportedly 34,641 pieces struck and if this number is accurate than an amazingly high percentage were melted as it is unlikely that more than 12-15 pieces are known. There are actually two die varieties. The more available has the thirteenth star touching the hair while the rarer shows this star away from the hair. There appear to be around four or five 1821 half eagles known in circulated grades (these are all in the AU53 to AU58 range) while the rest are Uncirculated pieces. The finest known is a single MS66 graded by PCGS and also by NGC. All of the 1821 half eagles that I have personally seen are prooflike with a good strike and greenish-gold coloration. There is at least one Proof known (ex: Norweb collection) and the Bass coin in the ANA Museum is a fully prooflike Gem business strike.

1822

The 1822 half eagle is one of the great rarities in all of American numismatics. There are just three examples known to exist. Two are housed in the Smithsonian Institution and are off the market while the third is in the Pogue collection and was obtained for $687,500 back in 1982 when the Eliasberg collection was auctioned by Bowers and Ruddy.

Time for an Editorial: I have always thought that one of the best ways to solve the never-ending cash crunch at the Smithsonian in relation to the National Numismatic Collection would be to sell one of the 1822 half eagles in the collection. Here’s a coin that would fetch $5 million or thereabouts in the open market and which would focus tremendous attention on the collection. Does the Smithsonian really need two examples of this coin?

1823

The 1823 generally gets lumped in the “semi-available” category of Fat Head half eagles along with the 1814/3, 1818 and 1820 but it is a date that I see less often. The mintage figure was reported to be 14,485 coins but I believe that this is a bit low and the actual number might be more like 17,500-20,000. There are probably in the area of 75-100 known with nearly all of these coins grading at least AU55 to AU58. Uncirculated examples of this date tend to be heavily abraded and generally grade in the MS60 to MS62 range. The 1823 is very rare in MS63 and extremely rare in MS64. NGC has graded one coin in MS65 while PCGS has never graded an example better than MS64. The 1823 is generally weakly struck at the left obverse border and on the curls around the face of Liberty; the reverse is bolder with sharp denticles and good detail on the feathers. The luster is very frosty in texture while the original color tends to be a deep green-gold. Many examples have been dipped.

There is just a single variety known and it shows the Large Letters reverse first used in 1820.

1824

The 1824 is the third most available Fat Head half eagle from this decade but it is a very rare coin in all grades. The original mintage figure is listed at 17,340 but I believe the actual number is somewhat lower than this. I believe that there are around 30-40 pieces known. As with most of the half eagles from this era, the 1824 saw virtually no circulation and there are not more than a small handful of pieces that grade below MS60. Most of the Uncirculated coins are in the MS60 to MS62 range and pieces that grade MS63 are quite rare. The combined PCGS/NGC population of twenty-two coins graded in MS64 is definitely inaccurate and this reflects a few coins that have been submitted multiple times in an attempt to secure a higher grade. There are one or two Gem examples known; both PCGS and NGC have graded an example in MS65 but these may be the same coin.

The 1824 is generally a well struck issue although some show weakness at the obverse border from 9:00 to 12:00. The luster is a bit less frosty than that seen on the 1823 and examples that have not been dipped are often a medium to deep green-gold. Only one die variety is known and it employs the Large Letters reverse first used in 1820.

In Part Two of this article, which will be added to www.raregoldcoins.com in November 2006, we will discuss the 1825-1834 half eagles and offer a number of collecting and grading tips for the series.

Collecting Early U.S. Gold Coinage: Part Two

In the first part of this article, we looked at early quarter eagles and half eagles struck prior to 1813. The second and final part focuses on half eagles struck from 1813 to 1834 and eagles produced from 1795 to 1804. HALF EAGLES (continued from Part One)

A. Capped Head Left (Large Diameter), 1813-1829

The obverse of the half eagle was significantly redesigned in 1813 by John Reich. It featured a corpulent head of Liberty facing left with a liberty cap on her head. The reverse is similar to that seen on the Capped Bust left design of 1807-1812. In 1818, the obverse was slightly modified by Robert Scot. Very few collectors distinguish between the two varieties.

The Capped Head Left half eagles offer an excellent illustration as to why mintage figures are not always good indications of a coin's rarity. By the late 1820's/ early 1830's, the price of gold had risen to the point that the intrinsic value of a half eagle was greater than its face value. Consequently, vast numbers of these coins were melted. Certain issues, such as the 1819, 1825, 1827, 1828 and 1829 had nearly their entire mintages melted and are extremely rare today.

The only issues of this type that can be considered relatively common are the 1813, 1814/3, 1818 and 1820. A pleasing About Uncirculated example of one of these four issues can be purchased for between $3,500 and $5,500. Uncirculated pieces in the Mint State-60 to Mint State-62 range are valued in the high four figure range.

The great rarities of this type include the 1815, 1822, 1828/7 and 1829 Large Date. Each issue is typically offered for sale only when a great "name collection" comes on the market. The 1822 is regarded as one of the great United States rarities with just three known and only one of these not in a museum.

Buying Tips: The 1818 and the 1820 are good type coins as they tend to have better luster and coloration than their 1813 and 1814/3 counterparts. Considering the rarity of these issues, they are extremely good values and the collector should consider adding at least two examples to his collection. An interesting approach to this would be to obtain one issue from the 1810's and another from the 1820's. Always look for coins that have nice luster and color and no serious marks. While examples of this type are rare in an absolute sense, survivors tend to be attractive and relatively high grade. Avoid unencapsulated examples as many of these have rim problems or have been cleaned.

B. Capped Head Left (Reduced Diameter), 1829-1834

In 1829, the design of the half eagle was modified by William Kneass. The diameter was reduced from 25 millimeters to 23.8 while the letter, date and star sizes were made smaller as well.

The small size Capped Head Left half eagle type contains two extremely rare issues: the 1829 Small Date and the 1832 12 Stars. As with the larger diameter issues from the 1820's, the mintages figures of these coins are very misleading. As an example, 193,630 half eagles were reportedly produced in 1833. Today, there are probably fewer than fifty known.

The most likely candidates for a type set are the 1830 and the 1833 Large Date. Both of these are quite rare but are slightly more available than the other dates of this design.

When available, small size Capped Head Left half eagles tend to be in the About Uncirculated-50 to Mint State-63 range. This type did not readily circulate and the few that survived the melting pot tend to have been reasonably well-preserved. A lightly circulated example, if available, is likely to cost $10,000 to $15,000. A coin in the Mint State-61 to Mint State-62 range should cost $20,000 to $30,000. There are some very high quality examples occasionally offered for sale and they tend to be priced in the $50,000-$100,00 range.

Buying Tips: This type will prove very frustrating for the collector on a limited budget as very few lower grade pieces exist. I suggest saving up for a nice About Uncirculated (or better) example. As very few of these are available, do not hesitate if you have the chance to acquire the "right" coin, even if it is priced at a level that seems high compared to published pricing guides.

II. EAGLES

A. Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle, 1795-97

The eagle was the highest denomination coin struck by the United States until the double eagle was authorized in 1849. The ten dollar gold piece was never used as extensively in commerce as the half eagle. The eagle did not match other foreign gold coins in value as did the half eagle and its level of demand was not as a great. As a consequence, the mintage figures for early eagles tended to be comparatively low.

The first design for the eagle was by Robert Scot and it was identical to that on the half eagle. The Small Eagle reverse coins were produced in 1795, 1796 and 1797. The 1795 is the most obtainable of the three dates , especially in higher grades. The 1796 is rare and undervalued with most survivors grading Very Fine and Extremely Fine. The 1797 Small eagle reverse ten dollar gold piece is very rare with an estimated three dozen known.

This is an extremely popular type, for obvious reasons. These coins are among the oldest United States gold coins. Their large size and age make them very appealing, even to collectors who do not ordinarily care for gold coins.

Buying Tips: The 1795 is the most popular issue of this type but the 1796 is a much better value. It is considerably more scarce but only commands a 20% premium in most grades. However, the 1795's significance as a first-year-of-issue ensures its continued high level of demand. Many eagles of this type show extensive adjustment marks. These are mint-made filings on the surface that are the result of overweight coins having excess gold removed by hand. Unless the adjustment marks are extensive and/or situated in obvious places, they are not considered detracting.

Many Capped Bust Right small eagle ten dollar gold pieces have been cleaned. The collector is urged to be patient as this type has survived in sufficient quantity to expect a nice, original piece becoming available at some point.

An Extremely Fine 1795 eagle should be priced in the $15,000-18,000 range while About Uncirculated coins range from $25,000 to $35,000. Uncirculated examples start at $40,000 and run to over $150,000 for the finest available quality.

B. Capped Bust Right, Heraldic Eagle, 1797-1804

The next type of eagle has the same obverse as the last but a redesigned reverse based on the Great Seal of the United States. It was struck from 1797 to 1801 and again from 1803 to 1804. The eagle denomination was discontinued (along with the silver dollar) on December 31, 1804 and it would not be resumed until 1838.

The survival rate of Heraldic Eagle reverse ten dollar gold pieces is considerably greater than for the half eagles described above. This is excellent news for today's generation of collectors. Attractive circulated examples of dates such as 1799, 1801 and 1803 are not hard to locate and they fall within most collector's budgets.

The 1799 has always been a favorite date of mine. It is the most affordable 18th century eagle and it is generally found with a good quality of strike. The 1801 and the 1803 are of similar rarity and are also excellent type coins. But the magical 18th century date of the 1799 has always made it seem like a more interesting issue, in my opinion.

The rarest date of this type is the 1798/7. Two varieties are known. One has thirteen stars on the obverse with nine on the left and four on the right while the other has the stars arranged seven left by six right. There are approximately two dozen known of the former and fifteen to twenty of the latter.

The 1800 is a scarce and underrated date that sells for much less of a premium over the 1801 and the 1803 than it should. The 1804 is scarce in all grades and very rare in accurately graded Uncirculated. A total of four Proof 1804 eagles are known. These have a Plain 4 in the date (unlike the business strikes that show a Crosslet 4). They were struck in 1804 for inclusion in sets presented to dignitaries. One is included in the famous King of Siam proof set.

Buying Tips: This is an easy type to acquire and the collector should be careful and deliberate about a potential purchase. I would suggest looking for a coin that is well struck and original with minimal marks. Many eagles of this type have adjustment marks but it is easier to locate pieces without these marks than on the Small Eagle reverse type. A nice Extremely Fine common date (i.e. 1799, 1801 or 1803) is currently worth $5,000 while a About Uncirculated is worth $6,500-9,500 depending on quality. A piece in the lower Uncirculated grades sells for $10,000-20,000. This type becomes rare and quite expensive in Mint State-63 and higher grades.

A nice addition to a type set would be to purchase two examples of this type: a 1799 and either an 1801 or 1803 to illustrate the two decades in which Heraldic Eagle reverse ten dollar gold pieces were struck.

Collecting Early U.S. Gold Coinage

Collectors refer to United States gold coins struck before 1834 as "early gold." There were three denominations of early gold coins produced: quarter eagles, half eagles and eagles. Early gold is relatively expensive, so it is difficult to collect by date. But it lends itself nicely to type collecting and there are many very presentable early gold issues that can be purchased for $3,000-5,000. QUARTER EAGLES

A. Capped Bust Right, 1796-1807

The first quarter eagles were produced in 1796. There are two distinct varieties known for this year. A total of 963 pieces were produced without stars on the obverse. The 1796 No Stars quarter eagle is an exceedingly popular coin and one that is somewhat pricey relative to its actual level of rarity. Expect to pay at least $40,000-50,000 for a coin in the Extremely Fine-40 to Extremely Fine-45 range. Later in 1796, there were 432 pieces produced without stars. The 1796 With Stars is rarer than its No Stars counterpart but it sells for less. The two rarest issues of this type are the 1797, which had an original mintage figure of just 427, and the 1804 Thirteen Stars of which a dozen or so are known. The best dates for type purposes are the 1802/1 and the 1807. As a type, the Capped Bust Right quarter eagles are rare and extremely undervalued, especially in relation to comparably dated half eagles.

Buying Tips: Many of these issues are found with very weak strikes so try and find a piece with decent detail in the centers. Avoid coins that are unnaturally bright and/or excessively marked. Many dates of this type are almost never seen in lower grades, so look for a coin in the Extremely Fine-45 to About Uncirculated-55 range (which should cost $5,000-8,000) if you can not afford the $15,000+ that a real Mint State-60 to 61 piece will cost.

B. Capped Bust Left (Large Size), 1808 only

John Reich's new design was adopted in 1808 and a total of 2,710 pieces were struck. This one-year type is very popular and as with most one-year types, it is expensive relative to its rarity. The 1808 quarter eagle is scarce but slightly overrated in lower grades but it is rare in accurately graded About Uncirculated and very rare in Uncirculated. You can expect to pay around $20,000 for an Extremely Fine and $25,000-35,000+ for an About Uncirculated.

Buying Tips: Most 1808 quarter eagles have been cleaned and many are very weakly struck at the borders. Try and find a piece that is original and which has some amount of detail on the stars. Many show mint-made adjustment marks and these are acceptable as long as they are not located on Liberty's face. This date is invariably overgraded, so learn how to properly grade an 1808 quarter eagle before you buy one and only purchase one through as knowledgeable, reputable dealers.

C. Capped Head Left, 1821-1834

i. Large Diameter, 1821-1827

The quarter eagle denomination was not produced from 1809 to 1820. In 1821, a new design was introduced. These employ Reich's Capped Head left design and have a wide diameter. There are a total of five issues known with this design: 1821, 1824/1, 1825, 1826/5 and 1827. The 1826/5 is the rarest with a tiny original mintage of 760. The most available is the 1821. This is an extremely reasonably priced type, considering its rarity in all grades. Currently, an About Uncirculated is valued in the $5,000-6,000 range while a nice Uncirculated piece costs $10,000-20,000.

Buying Tips: This type did not readily circulate so it is very difficult to find examples grading less than About Uncirculated. There are sometimes lower priced pieces available but these often show damage. Such coins should be avoided. Whenever possible, look for Capped Head Left quarter eagles that have original color and nice surfaces. This type is not prone to adjustment marks as found on early quarter eagles.

ii. Small Diameter, 1829-1834

In 1829, the diameter of the quarter eagle was reduced. This type was produced from 1829 through 1834. Most of these issues have mintage figures in the 4,000-5,000 coin range. They are of basically similar rarity with the exception of the 1834 which is very rare in all grades as a result of heavy melting. Most quarter eagles of this type are found in About Uncirculated and Uncirculated grades. They are amazingly good values when one considers their rarity. An About Uncirculated example costs $6,000-7,000 while a nice Uncirculated piece costs $8,500-15,000.

Buying Tips: This is another type that is almost never seen in grades below About Uncirculated, so the type collector on a budget should expect to purchase a coin grading at least AU-50. Many small diameter Capped Head Left quarter eagles have been cleaned or dipped and pieces with nice, original color and very desirable. The relatively short duration of this type (just six issues) make it an interesting possibility to assemble a date set.

II. Half Eagles

A. Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle, 1795-98

The half eagle is, along with the eagle, the oldest United States gold coin denomination. The first design of the half eagle was executed by Robert Scot. Fewer than 20,000 pieces of this design were struck from 1795 to 1798 but it is more available than one might expect. The 1795 is extremely popular, given its status as a first-year-of-design issue. It is reasonably available in Extremely Fine and About Uncirculated grades and even available, from time to time, in the lower Mint State grades. Expect to pay around $10,000 for an Extremely Fine, $17,500 for an About Uncirculated and $30,000 and up for an Uncirculated. The 1796/5 is much rarer than the 1795 but it brings just a bit more. The 1797 is found with fifteen or sixteen stars on the obverse. Both varieties are quite rare. The 1798 Small Eagle is an extremely rare coin with just seven known.

Buying Tips: The 1795 is probably the best choice for a type set, given its relative availability and its fame as a first-year issue. Many are found with mint-made planchet roughness, adjustment marks and signs of cleaning. Nice, original coins are hard to locate and worth a strong premium over current published price guides. Some 1795 half eagles are found with raised die rust on the surfaces. This is not a defect and it does not adversely affect the desirability of such a coin.

According to the editors of the CDN, they "report prices on national dealer-to-dealer buying and selling information. These wholesale prices result from our monitoring all possible sight-seen transactions and offers to buy and sell."

B. Capped Bust Right, Heraldic Eagle, 1795-1807

The 1795 half eagles with the Heraldic Eagle reverse are believed to have been struck in 1798. They are rare but not as much so as the 1797 Heraldic Eagle reverse half eagles. Coins dated 1798 and 1799 are affordable in lower grades and considered very desirable given their 18th century origin. The remaining dates of this type, struck from 1800 through 1807 are quite common in circulated grades and are sometimes seen in grades as high as Mint State-64 to Mint State-65. These coins had relatively high mintages figures (between 30,000 and 50,000) and were saved in much greater quantity than comparable quarter eagles and eagles. Many of these dates can be purchased in Extremely Fine for between $2,000 and $3,000 and in About Uncirculated for $3,000 and $4,000. There are a number of very die interesting varieties known and these are among the most collectible early gold issues.

Buying Tips: The availability of this type means that the collector can afford to be more selective than on other early gold issues. The 1798 and 1799 are interesting type coins due to their 18th century dates and nice examples of either date can be located for under $7,500. The 19th century issues are quite easy to locate in circulated grades. The collector should look for pieces that are well struck, have nice color and surfaces and good overall eye appeal.

C. Capped Bust Left, 1807-1812

This type was designed by John Reich and struck in all years from 1807 to 1812. Mintage figures for Capped Bust Left half eagles went as high as 100,000 coins (in 1810) and this is the most common early gold issue. It is an easy type to assemble by date but there are some very rare individual varieties, such as the 1810 Small Date, Small 5 and the 1810 Large Date, Small 5. A sleeper issue is the 1808/7, which is hard to locate in lower grades and which is very rare in Uncirculated. A nice common date Extremely Fine Capped Bust half eagle costs $2,000 to $2,500 while an About Uncirculated costs $3,000 to $3,500. Uncirculated examples begin in the $4,250 to $4,750 range and rise in price according to quality. This type is generally less popular than the Capped Bust Right half eagles and tends to be easier to locate.

Buying Tips: This is another type that is seen with relatively high frequency, so the collector should be patient. Look for coins that are well struck, free of deep marks and in possession of nice color. Two interesting dates to consider as type coins are the 1807, due to its status as the first-year of type and the 1812 as it was struck during the War of 1812.

Coming in September 2001: Part Two of this article, featuring Half Eagles from 1813 to 1834 and Eagles from 1795 to 1804.