1821年半鹰 PCGS AU Details。1821 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-6+. Close 13th Star. AU Details--Repaired (PCGS). Secure Holder.；The 1821 is a legendary rarity in the early half eagle series, offered here in a relatively desirable state of preservation. This coin has considerable appeal despite the state qualifier.
In fact, the surfaces are evenly patinated in medium golden yellow and the devices exhibit bold to sharp definition along with a satin finish that contrasts nicely with prooflike reflectivity in the fields. The PCGS qualifier largely concerns a depression near the base of Libertys portrait, at the junction with the neckline, that has been partially smoothed over. Some observers would hardly notice it.
The overall attractive appearance is sure to result in a premium bid.The 1821 half eagle is one of the rarest dates in the Capped Head Left series, an impressive statement given the elusiveness of this type as a whole. The reported mintage for this date is 34,641 pieces, a respectable total for the era that might lead casual collectors to assume that it would be relatively obtainable. This is most certainly not the case, however, for the 1821 is highly elusive and seldom encountered. Virtually the entire mintage succumbed to melting during an era in which rising gold prices on the world market caused the bullion value of contemporary U.S. gold coins to outstrip their face value. Most Capped Head Left half eagles suffered this fate, the 1821 to a particularly egregious extent. In fact, numismatic authority John W. Dannreuther (2006) accounts for only 15 to 20 survivors in all grades, the majority of which were coined from the die marriage now known as BD-1. This variety shares its reverse with the other variety for the issue, BD-2, but for BD-1 star 13 on the obverse is close to Libertys lowermost hair curl.
Given the extreme rarity of this issue and the infrequency with which examples appear on the market, the significance of this offering for the advanced early gold enthusiast can hardly be overstated.；From our (Stacks) sale of the Robison Collection of United States Gold Coins, February 1979, lot 357. Lot tag included.
