1799 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-6. Rarity-5. Small Reverse Stars. MS-62+ (PCGS). CMQ-X.This beautiful Mint State half eagle offers remarkable technical quality and superior eye appeal for both the die variety and overall 1799 issue. The complexion displays blended honey-apricot and warm gold shades with noticeable prooflike reflectivity in the fields. It is boldly to sharply struck with unbroken satin luster across the design elements. Certainly one of the finest obtainable in the current market, and a coin that would serve as a highlight in an advanced early gold cabinet. BD Die State d/d.<p>A remarkable nine different reverse dies matched to four obverse dies were required to produce all the various 1799 half eagles, some of which Bass and Dannreuther (2006) theorize may have been used as late as 1802. BD-6 is one of the most popular of these varieties with specialists as it represents the final use for both the obverse and reverse dies before their eventual failure. The obverse is shared with the BD-4 and BD-5 varieties and is readily identifiable by repunching on the final digit 9 in the date. The reverse of the BD-6 marriage has the upright of the letter E in STATES barely to the right of a space between two clouds. It also shows a distinctive arc pattern of stars of John Smith Gardners hub.<p>Although relatively obtainable compared to other 1799 half eagles, BD-6 remains an incredible condition rarity and is seldom found in Mint State. Indeed, with only 40 to 50 coins accounted for in all grades, the 1799 BD-6 half eagle is elusive. The vast majority of these are in grades of AU-55 or lower, making this PCGS MS-62+ coin an incredible treasure. It ranks CC#2 for the variety behind a small number of Choice Uncirculated survivors, most of which have been certified MS-63 by PCGS or NGC.PCGS# 519880. NGC ID: 25NT.PCGS Population (all die marriages of the Small Reverse Stars variety): 2; 11 finer (MS-64 finest).<p>PCGS Population (BD-6 attribution only): 1; 0 finer.Ex Stanley I. Kesselman, privately to the following, September 19, 1973; Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation Collection (HBCC# 3064); Heritages sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection, Part III, May 2023 CSNS Signature Auction, lot 4540.
