This is an attractive, highly desirable example from the first year of the challenging Capped Head Left half eagle series. Overall boldly defined, both sides exhibit considerable sharpness of detail to the focal devices. Libertys hair and much of the eagles plumage are quite crisp, allowing ready appreciation of the finer elements of the design. Evenly toned in warm olive-gold patina, with satiny luster remaining in the more protected areas around the devices. This appealing piece would be ideal for inclusion in an advanced type set of classic U.S. Mint gold coinage.In 1813 John Reich modified his Capped Bust Left portrait of Liberty to create the Capped Head Left design for the half eagle (also used on quarter eagles from 1821 through 1834). The obverse portrait is a greatly reduced bust of Liberty, the floppy cap inscribed LIBERTY still present in slightly modified form and with the stars around the border now forming a continuous arc around the portrait. The reverse is essentially the same as that used for the preceding Capped Bust Left type with the eagle modified in subtle ways.Although produced in greater numbers as a type than the Capped Bust Left design, the Capped Head Left half eagle is much rarer in todays market and ranks among the most challenging of all U.S. gold coin types to collect. Attrition through hoarding and melting was extremely high for the Capped Head Left half eagles, the vast majority of examples produced were used in international commerce and were eventually melted overseas for their bullion content. What few coins are available to todays collectors were hoarded domestically and escaped melting after the change in weight for the half eagle in 1834, or somehow escaped destruction overseas. As the first issue of the type, the 1813 was hoarded domestically to a greater extent than any other issue in this series, and it is the most frequently encountered Capped Head Left half eagle. Indeed, this issue is the only realistic type candidate for most collectors, and this attractive AU example would serve well in this regard.
