1806 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-6. Rarity-2. Round-Top 6, Stars 7x6. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.Warm honey-olive surfaces are enhanced by vivid orange-apricot iridescence. Both sides retain ample luster that is frosty overall with subtle semi-reflectivity in the open field areas. Well centered in strike with nearly complete denticulation. Central detail is generally bold to sharp, while that around the border is also bold for most features. There are no handling marks of note; a few light adjustment marks along the lower obverse border are as made and easily overlooked during in-hand viewing. A handsome and desirable example with strong appeal. BD Die State d/e.<p>The half eagle served as the principal gold denomination for everyday commercial use during the early decades of the U.S. Mint. To help meet the demand for the denomination, the Mint researched various ways to help extend die life and found a solution by placing the obverse die into the anvil position on the base of the coining press with the reverse die taking the role of hammer die. By doing so, not only was the service life of the dies extended, but the obverse die could also impart a sharper and crisper impression. Consequently, in 1806 at least 64,093 half eagles were struck using five obverse dies and six reverse dies paired together in a total of six different combinations. Of these five obverses, only one used a 6 digit punch with a rounded off top. This die pair, BD-6, also proved to be the most resilient, ultimately producing somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000 pieces. Even with the increase in production, many 1806 half eagles ended up in the hands of bullion speculators during the large scale meltings of the 1820s and 1830s. Somewhere between 600 and 900 examples of the BD-6 variety are believed extant, with nearly a third of these in high grade, making this an especially desirable variety for type collectors. For the discerning numismatist seeking a premium early half eagle at the Choice AU level, look no further.PCGS# 8089. NGC ID: 25P5.From the Chicago Collection.
