1796/5 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-1, the only known dies. Rarity-4+. VG-10 (PCGS). CAC.This beautiful coin is a wholly original, aesthetically pleasing 1796/5 half eagle that is sure to find its way into an advanced gold type set. Glints of sandy-rose patina adorn the peripheries and frame otherwise honey-gold surfaces. The lower obverse border is softly defined and devoid of denticulation, but all other areas retain bold outline definition to the major design elements. The surfaces are overall smooth in appearance, and uncommonly so for an early U.S. Mint gold coin that acquired such extensive wear. Likely a pocket piece. The rarity of this type as a whole highlights the important bidding opportunity that this premium quality VG represents for gold type collectors.This is the only known die marriage of the date. John W. Dannreuther (2006) provides an estimated mintage of just 1,057 to 2,000 half eagles actually bearing the 1796 date (compared to a reported mintage of 6,196 pieces for calendar year 1796, most examples of which were likely struck from 1795-dated dies). All known 1796 half eagles are overdates, the issue featuring the same reverse die used to the strike the 1795 BD-12 variety. Survivors are scarce to rare in all grades with not many more than 100 coins believed extant.
