1813 Capped Head Left Half Eagle. BD-1. Rarity-2. MS-63 (PCGS). Uniform olive-gold coloration adorns the lustrous surfaces of this Choice example. Nicely centered with bold definition to the central elements. Overall untroubled by significant marks and pleasing for the assigned grade. This piece is traceable back over 41 years to our sale of October 1979 and is now available to collectors for the first time in decades. As a series, the Capped Head Left half eagles struck from 1813 to 1834 are among the most elusive in all of U.S. numismatics. Most examples are from the first year, 1813, having been set aside by the contemporary public due to the novelty of the design. Most other dates and varieties are rare, if not non-collectable, since rising gold prices resulted in the wholesale destruction of pre-1834 U.S. gold coins through the mid 1830s. At the Choice Mint State level, the 1813 half eagle remains considerably scarce and is eagerly pursued by collectors. From the Naples Bay Collection. Earlier ex our (Stacks) sale of October 1979, lot 110. From the Naples Bay Collection. Earlier ex our (Stacks) sale of October 1979, lot 110.
