Capped Bust Left variety. BD-8, R-3.

1807 was a transitional year for half eagles with both the old Capped Bust Right and the new Capped Bust Left varieties seeing circulation. The new Bust Left issue is the most common of the six years in which this design was made (it was discontinued in 1813) and the 1807 is reasonably obtainable in lower grades. Properly graded MS62′s are hard to find as most have been brightened or show more marks than one might expect for the grade.

This frosty, well struck piece is a “textbook” coin for the grade with pleasing surfaces, good luster and nice warm orange-gold color at the rims framing lighter more greenish-gold centers. There are no serious adjustment marks and this piece appears to have never been dipped or brightened.

While this seems hard to believe, I can not find any APR’s for this variety in MS62 with CAC approval. Mediocre, non-CAC pieces tend to bring in the $11,500-13,000 range.

A piece which has multiple levels of demand as it appeals to early gold collectors, half eagle specialists, transitional collectors and first-year-of-type collectors.

CAC has only approved seven in this grade with 11 higher.