STUNNING 1799 HALF EAGLE, PCGS/CAC AU55

BD-6, R-5. Small Reverse Stars

The 1799 is one of two relatively obtainable half eagles from the 1790's and it is clearly scarcer than the 1798. There are no less than nine die varieties for the year with seven using Small Stars on the reverse. As a date, the 1799 is scarce in the higher AU grades and there are not many I am aware of with natural color and very choice surfaces.

I sold this coin to RYK about seven or eight years ago. I accidentally found it in the case of a West Coast dealer who I have never bought another coin from since and who has an inventory which, to be charitable, is full of "shiny" pieces. This is a literally unimprovable coin for the grade with superb deep reddish colors outlining the devices and lettering; the fields are a contrasting medium yellow-gold. This is among the best struck BD-6's known with very strong details seen at the centers. Other than a super-faint old scratch between ER in LIBERTY, the surfaces are nearly perfect.

Only three 1799 Small Stars Reverse half eagles graded AU55 by PCGS have sold at auction since 2011. The best of these--seemingly undergraded--realized $25,850 as Heritage 2/13: 4174 while a decent non-CAC example sold for $17,250 as Heritage 7/11: 4703.

You could literally search for years and not find a more pleasing circulated 1799 half eagle than this coin. A truly exceptional piece which is perfect for type or suitable for a date set of early half eagles.

CAC has approved 3 in this grade with 8 finer.

FROM THE RYK 'DOG' COLLECTION.