1802/1 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-4+. Centered Overdate. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.This handsome example exhibits light, mottled, reddish-rose iridescence to a base of warmer honey-gold patina. Direct lighting reveals traces of original luster, the strike ideally centered with bold to sharp detail throughout the design. An uncommonly smooth, pleasingly original early half eagle at the near-Mint level of preservation.<p>The half eagle served as one of the principal gold coins used in normal commercial activities almost from the outset and received the most attention by the early Mint of the three gold denominations. Two 1801-dated obverse dies were prepared in anticipation for the issue, but in the end all of the 26,006 half eagles delivered that year were all dated 1800. Not to be wasted, both dies were recut in 1802 but with only minimal effort to remove the final 1. These two obverses were paired with seven reverse dies in a total of eight different die marriages. The mintage of 53,176 half eagles struck in 1802 used two obverse dies and seven reverse dies paired in eight known die marriages. Five of these die pairs used what John Dannreuther described as the Centered Overdate obverse, with the BD-1 pair used to produce an estimated 5,000 to 7,500 half eagles. Even though the BD-1 is considered one of the more available die varieties, only roughly between 75 and 100 remain extant in all grades. The desirability of higher grade early gold coins has seldom wavered and a specimen just a hairs breadth away from Mint State replete with considerable eye appeal makes this a superior choice for any enthusiast of early American gold.From the Heintzelman Collection.
