1799 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-6. Rarity-5. Small Reverse Stars. MS-62+ (PCGS). CAC.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 olive-gold shades with noticeable prooflike reflectivity in the fields. It is boldly to sharply struck with unbroken mint frost 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 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 are in grades of AU-55 or lower, making this PCGS MS-62+ coin an incredible treasure. It is tied for 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. The only other PCGS MS-62+ currently certified for the 1799 Small Reverse Stars <em>Guide Book</em> variety is also a BD-6: the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection coin that most recently sold in our November 2023 Auction as lot 3151.PCGS# 8081. NGC ID: 25NT.PCGS Population (all die marriages of the Small Reverse Stars variety): 2; 11 finer (MS-64 finest).<p>CAC Stickered Population: 3; 2. The former total includes coins certified both MS-62 and MS-62+.From the Chicago Collection. Earlier from Legend Rare Coin Auctions sale of the Naples Collection, Part II, January 2022 Regency Auction 50, lot 210.
