1795 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. Small Eagle. BD-3. Rarity-3+. AU-53 (NGC).This historic early half eagle is sure to catch the eye of advanced collectors. The strike is ideally centered on the planchet, both sides ringed in full, nearly uniform denticulation. The devices are well detailed for the issue with most of Libertys hair curls crisply delineated and emerging definition to the eagles breast feathers. Wisps of reddish-rose iridescence outline many of design elements, and enhance the attractive deep golden-olive color. There is ample evidence of a semi-prooflike finish in the fields that provides additional appeal. BD Die State c/b.<p>The first gold coin struck for the United States of America is the 1795 Small Eagle five, 8,707 examples of which were delivered that year. Based on the number of coins extant, it is highly likely that additional examples of this issue were struck in 1796. Indeed, John W. Dannreuther (<em>Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834</em>, 2006) estimates that the mintage for the 1795 Small Eagle may be as high as 12,106 pieces. The most plentiful of the 12 known die marriages is BD-3, offered here, with an estimated mintage of 2,000 to 3,000 coins. This is a limited total when viewed in the wider context of U.S. coinage history, to be sure, and like all pre-1834 quarter eagles, half eagles and eagles the 1795 Small Eagle five suffered a high rate of attrition through commercial use and melting. It is an indication of the rarity of both the type and issue that the BD-3 variety, with only 175 to 225 coins believed extant (again per Dannreuther) is the most readily obtainable die marriage of the date. The present example is sure to have no difficulty finding its way into an advanced type set or dedicated early half eagle collection.PCGS# 8066. NGC ID: 25ND.
