1807 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-8. Rarity-2. MS-64 (PCGS).Billowy mint frost mingles with warm medium gold patina on both sides of this handsome and inviting near-Gem. The strike is well centered and, while the borders are soft in isolated areas, all devices are sharply to fully defined. Overall smooth in hand, as befits the assigned grade, and sure to please the advanced gold enthusiast. BD Die State c/a.<p>The year 1807 was one of transition, with John Reichs Capped Bust Left design selected for its first use on the half eagles and half dollars. Reich produced some of the most beloved of all American coins but in 1817 he resigned and retired to Albany, New York. His secret mark, a notched 13th star on the obverse, was used on all dies he cut. An estimated 50,000 of Reichs new half eagles were struck, from only two die pairs. The BD-8 marriage, by far the more available of these two die marriages, is differentiated by the O in OF centered above the U in UNUM on the ribbon along with leaf closest to the U in UNITED. Popular with early gold specialists and type collectors alike, Mint State examples of this variety are long on desirability and short on supply. Expect lively bidding.
