1798 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. Heraldic Eagle. BD-6. Rarity-6. Small (a.k.a. Normal) 8. AU Details--Graffiti (PCGS).Really a pleasing example despite the stated qualifier, both sides exhibit vivid reddish-rose peripheral highlights to otherwise warm olive-gold surfaces. The strike is well centered on the planchet, both sides sharply defined in most areas. The eagles head and breast are a bit blunt, due in no small part to light adjustment marks in the opposing area on the obverse (read: within the hair curls at and behind Libertys ear). Suitably lustrous for the grade, wispy handling marks include a few light pin scratches in the right obverse field. Regarding this variety, the Bass-Dannreuther reference notes: "There are many who consider the 1798 Normal 8 coins quite rare. In absolute terms this is true, but in half eagle terms, they are merely scarce. This variety has about three dozen known..." BD Die State b/b.
