RARE AND HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT 1812 HALF EAGLE GRADED MS63 BY PCGS

BD-1, R-2. Wide 5D.

This is the more available of the two die varieties of 1812 half eagle. This historically significant date, struck during the war with Great Britain, is scarce in MS63, rare in MS64 and very rare in MS65; a rarity pattern which exists for nearly all dates of this short-lived type. Many Capped Head left half eagles graded MS63 show questionable color or are bright from having been dipped.

This is an excellent type coin with a sense of originality not often seen on this date. Both sides are very frosty with rich green-gold color which deepens to reddish-gold at the borders; especially at 9:00 to 12:00 on the obverse. The obverse is free of significant abrasions but there are some mint-made adjustment marks running horizontally on the portrait and cheekbone into the hair. The reverse shows a few grade-limiting marks below the right wing/ Most importantly, this choice 1812 half eagle hasn’t been scrubbed or processed.

Only two MS63 examples (both grades by PCGS and non-CAC) have sold at auction since 2013. Heritage 7/15: 3224 realized $21,150 while Stacks Bowers 2013 ANA: 4485 was bid up to $22,193. Going back further, there are auctions records of $20,000 or more for this date in MS63 back in 2006.

For most collectors, this is the highest grade early half eagle which is realistic and this piece would fit well into a high-quality early type set.