1830 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-6. Large D. MS-64 (PCGS). CAC. CMQ.Offered is one of the very finest 1830 half eagles - an issue that is scarce to rare at all levels of preservation. A remarkable near-Gem, this piece is wonderfully original with pretty reddish-rose peripheral color to otherwise deep golden-orange surfaces. Luster is full, intense and predominantly frosty, although strong semi-reflectivity is discernible in the fields when viewed with direct lighting. Sharply struck and expertly preserved, even the most discerning gold enthusiast will be impressed with this beautiful half eagle. BD Die State a/c, with a retained cud break on the reverse from the border above the letter N in UNITED, through the tops of ITE, and looping back to the border above the D.<p>In 1829, the Philadelphia Mint obtained a new Rush Muhlenberg coining press that would allow for a high raised rim on coins, which had the dual effect of not only extending circulation life but also protecting the design from the normal rigors of daily commercial use. Chief Engraver William Kneass replaced the long-tooth dentils on previous issues with finely beaded or rounded dentils, all of which are now noticeably smaller and more regular in diameter. The new press allowed the Mint to produce the entire mintage of 126,351 half eagles struck in 1830 with only two die pairings that shared a common obverse. The two reverses are most easily distinguished by examining the denomination indicator; the D is significantly larger on the BD-1 variety, represented here, than on the BD-2 pairing. The Large D reverse was originally employed on the 1829 BD-2 small diameter half eagles, then again in 1830. The die emission sequence of the two varieties is not clear. Based on die state analysis, it appears that the two reverse dies were used alternately to produce the five batches of half eagles delivered on March 31, May 20, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Likely the coiner simply grabbed the sole 1830-dated obverse and whichever reverse die was handy at the time to fulfill the order. The two varieties are roughly comparable in rarity; John W. Dannreuther (2006) notes that 25 to 35 Large D BD-1 specimens likely exist compared to some 30 to 40 of the Small D BD-2 variety.<p>Adding to the lovely eye appeal of this distinctive specimen is its superior quality. It is surpassed for the Large D variety significantly by only two other coins of which we are aware: the Newcomer-Pogue specimen that realized $305,500 in our May 2016 Pogue IV sale, and the coin that brought $420,000 in our August 2023 Global Showcase Auction. Both examples were certified MS-66 by PCGS at the time of sale. The PCGS/CAC/CMQ MS-64 offered here is also a numismatic treasure, and it is worthy of the strongest bids.PCGS# 8152. NGC ID: 25RA.PCGS Population (both die marriages of the issue): 1; 2 finer (MS-66 finest).<p>CAC Stickered Population (Large D variety only): 1; 2.From the Chicago Collection.
