A beautiful Choice example with smartly impressed devices, billowy satin luster and handsome deep gold patina. Blushes of even more vivid rose-apricot iridescence are evident here and there at the right borders, further enhancing already strong eye appeal.Just under 100,000 half eagles were coined in 1811 from only two evidently very resilient die pairs. The two varieties share the same obverse die, they are easy to distinguish by noting the size of the 5 on the reverse. The Tall 5 BD-1 die pair, as here, is quite distinctive through its almost oversized 5 in the denomination that just barely touches the dentils, while the somewhat more available Small 5 does not come nearly as close to the dentils. The reverse die was first used the previous year to produce the 1810 BD-1 variety. As the primary gold coin in everyday commerce, the half eagle saw extensive use so that most surviving specimens are at the higher end of the circulated grade levels. Mint State, the differences in availability between this and the BD-2 become readily apparent, with far fewer uncirculated examples of the Tall 5 variety known. Choice Mint State examples of the Tall 5 BD-1 half eagle are avidly sought and with so few finer examples available, quality-minded specialists in early gold will be amply rewarded here.,,PCGS# 8110. NGC ID: 25PG.,PCGS Population: 12; 9 finer (MS-66 finest).,
