1818 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-2. Rarity-4. STATESOF. MS-61 (PCGS). CAC.A handsome Mint State example with lustrous, softly frosted surfaces and a pleasing strike for the issue. The vivid golden-apricot color confirms the coins originality and delivers strong eye appeal. Surface preservation is superior for the assigned grade, with generally only minor marks visible under scrutiny; a shallow scuff on Libertys cheek is noted for accuracy. BD Die State c. This is the terminal state of this variety, with a bisecting obverse crack from the edge at the final digit 8 in the date to the edge at star 6. On this coin the reverse is rotated approximately 45 degrees clockwise from normal coin alignment.<p>Along with BD-3, this is one of the easier varieties of the issue to attribute. On examples of BD-2, the words STATES and OF in the reverse legend appear as one word. This is the most frequently encountered die marriage of the issue, but we stress that all Capped Head Left half eagles of 1813 to 1834 are scarce, if not rare. Examples of this type saw widespread melting through the mid 1830s, explaining why this is one of the most challenging of all U.S. gold coin series to collect. Survivors of the 1818 BD-2 variety number only 100 to 125 coins in all grades per the 2006 Bass-Dannreuther reference and <em>PCGS CoinFacts</em>. Many show considerable circulation or surface problems, emphasizing the desirability of this charming, premium quality Mint State survivor.PCGS# 8121. NGC ID: BFXY.PCGS Population (STATESOF variety only): 7; 23 finer (MS-66 finest).<p>CAC Stickered Population: 4; 12.From the Chicago Collection.
