1802/1 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-2. Rarity-4+. Centered Overdate. EF Details--Altered Surfaces (PCGS). Rich reddish-gold (re)toning and ample boldness of detail enhance the visual appeal of this more affordable type candidate from the challenging Capped Bust Right half eagle series. While no half eagles were struck in 1801, obverse dies were prepared with that date. The following year, these obverses were recut with a 2, but the effacing of the original digit was at best perfunctory, as the overdate is clear in every known pairing. These overdates come in two primary varieties with a centered overdate, as here, or a high overdate. Identified by the incomplete ribbon loop, the reverse die used in the Bass-Dannreuther-2 marriage appears to have lasted between 5,000 and 7,500 impressions before suffering terminal die cracks and cuds. This variety is moderately scarce overall with no more than 100 examples believed extant in all grades. BD Die State c/c. From the Naples Bay Collection. From the Naples Bay Collection.
