1808 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-4. Rarity-3+. Wide 5 D. AU-55 (NGC). Evenly patinated bright honey-gold surfaces reveal a tinge of pale olive as the coin turns away from direct lighting. Well produced, both sides are nicely centered on the planchet with plenty of sharp to full striking detail remaining. A touch of glossiness to the texture is noted for accuracy. One of two normal date die marriages of the 1808-dated half eagle issue, BD-4 is identifiable by wide spacing between the 5 and D in the denomination at the lower reverse border. Plentiful by the standards of the type, yet scarce in an absolute sense, examples of this variety number 175 to 225 coins in all grades (per John W. Dannreuther, 2006) and are always in demand for advanced gold type purposes.
