This is an attractive coin for the grade. Both sides are evenly worn over devices that retain some sharper detail in the recessed areas of the design. The overall appearance is bold with all major design elements fully appreciable. Nicely toned in warm olive-orange, with faint remnants of satin luster.As the first gold coin struck in the fledgling United States Mint, the popularity of the 1795 Small Eagle half eagle knows no bounds. The first delivery took place on July 31, 1795, to the extent of 744 pieces. Most numismatic scholars believe that these initial examples were struck from the die pairing that we now know as BD-1. This might seem improbable given that both the obverse and reverse dies were rusted at the time of striking, suggesting that they sat idle for quite some time before being pressed into service. Evidence of this rust is seen on the present coin in the lower left field around the date and stars 1 to 3, at the upper right reverse border after the word OF, and in other places. Modern numismatic scholarship suggests that the delay in production of this variety was not due to the Mints initial use of other dies, but rather the general delay in striking the first gold coins while its employees struggled to post the $10,000 bonds that Congress required before they could handle deposits of this precious metal.John W. Dannreuther (<em>Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834</em>, 2006) believes that additional deliveries from this die pairing occurred after July 31, for an estimated mintage of 750 to 1,500 coins for the 1795 BD-1 half eagle. Survivors are elusive, as is the case for all pre-1834 U.S. gold coin issues, with the author accounting for only 40 to 50 pieces in all grades. This thoroughly appealing coin is likely to find its way into an advanced gold type set.BD Die State b/a with the obverse cracked from the lower border through the digit 9 in the date to the drapery. The reverse is perfect with no evidence of die clashing, lapping, or cracks.,,PCGS# 8066.,,From the Edgar B. Lupfer Collection. Earlier ex our (Stacks) sale of the Robison Collection, February 1979, lot 326. Lot tag included.
