1807 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-8. Rarity-2. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC.An exceptional Mint State example that would do equally well in a high grade type set or specialized early half eagle cabinet. Fully lustrous with a soft satin texture, the surfaces display a richly original appearance of the kind that is becoming increasingly rare on pre-1834 U.S. Mint gold coins. Predominantly deep orange-gold in color, both sides are enhanced by blended reddish-rose overtones. The strike is superb with expert centering and even the most intricate design elements fully rendered and crisp. This is as nice as the Capped Bust Left half eagle as a type comes at the certified MS-63 grade level. BD Die State d/b.<p>The year 1807 was one of transition, with John Reichs Capped Bust Left design selected for its first use on the half eagles and half dollars. Reich produced some of the most beloved of all American coins but in 1817 he resigned and retired to Albany, New York. An estimated 50,000 of Reichs new half eagles were struck, from only two die pairs. The BD-8 marriage, by far the more available of these two die marriages, is differentiated by the letter O in OF centered above the letter U in UNUM on the ribbon, along with the outermost leaf close to the letter U in UNITED. Popular with both early gold specialists and type collectors, attractive Mint State examples of this variety are long on desirability and short on supply. Expect lively bidding.PCGS# 8101. NGC ID: CKLH.CAC Stickered Population (both die marriages of the issue): 11; 9.From the Chicago Collection.
