DELIGHTFUL CRUSTY 1798 HERALDIC EAGLE REVERSE HALF EAGLE

BD-2, R-5. Struck with the exact same obverse used to make the excessively rare 1798 Small Eagle reverse, an example of which recently sold for $1,175,000 at the Pogue II auction. Intermediate die state.

1798 half eagles are seen with a number of significant varieties. The Large 8, 13 star reverse is seen most often, making these the ideal choice for the type collector seeking a single 18th century half eagle. The present coin shows a number of distinctive min-made characteristics including a thick guideline on the obverse running from near star one below the date to a denticles below the center of the drapery and a die bulge in the left field which is joined by a crack which winds from between the first two stars into the left field.

This is a delightfully crusty example with deep, attractive green-gold and orange splashes in similar hues and configurations on both sides. There is minor wear only and both sides are also in possession of a good deal of natural luster. The strike is way better than normal with much of the central details up and bold on the obverse while the reverse is slightly blurry at the outlines of the shield. The surfaces show few signs of normal circulation and there are no adjustment marks,

A very similar example (same die variety as well) sold for $20,125 as Stack’s 11/11: 9441. Two other PCGS AU55 1798 Large 8, 13 Reverse Star half eagles sold in 2014 for $19,975 and $21,150.

If you have been waiting for the right piece of 18th century gold to add to your set or if you collect early half eagles by date or variety, this may well be the coin you will select.