1808 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-4. Rarity-3+. Wide 5 D. AU-50 (PCGS). A scarce AU survivor with lemon-yellow coloration and tinges of warm honey-gold patina around the devices. Nicely defined at the centers and very attractive for this grade level. 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. From the Naples Bay Collection. From the Naples Bay Collection.
