VERY PLEASING COLLECTOR GRADE 1795 HALF EAGLE WITH CAC APPROVAL

BD-3, High R-3.

The 1795 Small Eagle half eagle is among the most popular early gold issues due to its status as the very first coin of this long-lived denomination. Along with the similarly-dated eagle, it is the first gold coin struck by the new Philadelphia mint and of the 8,707+ produced, there are an estimated 600+ known ranging from damaged low-grade pieces to Gems.

Comparatively affordable collector-quality examples are in strong demand and nice VF-EF 1795 Small Eagle half eagles with CAC approval are among the most popular of all early gold coins. The present piece has the body and appearance of coins I have seen in EF40 holders. Both sides exhibit nice, even green-gold color which is the result of years of storage in an old coin envelope (see below). The obverse is well-detailed with many of the hair strands displaying individual definition; the reverse has some weakness on the face of the eagle and on the breast and legs. There are some shallow circulation marks in the fields which are nicely masked by the depth of the color.

A different PCGS/CAC VF35 which showed more wear and which had less luster than the example I am offering here brought $38,400 as Heritage 2/2021: 3755. Another 1795 half eagle, this one graded EF40 by PCGS and approved by CAC, had splotchy color which I didn’t find appealing. It realized $50,400.

This piece is from an old New England collection and it is accompanied by a coin envelope inscribed in pen as follows:

“Unc 1795 Small eagle half eagle or 5 dollar gold. First year worth $20.00 to $35.00.”

This fresh-to-the-market piece has everything going for it: rarity, appearance, provenance, and very high demand.

CAC has approved just 3 coins in VF35 with another 49 finer.

DWN collects sales tax when appropriate.