VERY RARE PCGS MS63 1804 NORMAL/LARGE 8 HALF EAGLE

BD-5, High R-6. Fewer than 20 believed to exist.

There are three varieties of Small 8/Large 8 half eagles for 1804 (BD-5, BD-6 and BD-7). Of these, the BD-5 is far and away the rarest. As a date, the 1804 has a number of important varieties and the Small 8/Large 8 (which is recognized by the Redbook) is rare and in demand. It is not often seen choicer than the lowest Uncirculated grades and it is legitimately rare in MS63. The finest known is likely the PCGS MS64 which brought $94,000 as Pogue II: 2085.

This is the single finest 1804 Small 8/Large 8 half eagle I have handled and it is a clearly original example with excellent overall detail in spite of being struck from a heavily cracked and clashed reverse. Both sides are lustrous and clean with medium yellow-gold and greenish hues seen.  There are some even scuffs in the obverse field which limit the grade; the reverse is choice.

Only two PCGS MS63 examples of this variety have sold at auction since 2003: this exact coin (see below for its provenance) and a CAC approved piece which realized a strong $69,000 as Stacks Bowers 11/11: 9449. In January 2014, Heritage sold a non-CAC NGC MS63 for $32,900.

Since 2000, fewer than 10 MS63 examples of this issue have traded and advanced collectors are well aware of the rarity of the 1804 Small 8/Large 8 in higher grades. Needless to say, a very important opportunity for the advanced specialist.

Ex Heritage 5/08: 3179 where it realized $37,375.

FROM THE WESTERN SPRINGS II COLLECTION