1800 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-4. Rarity-4. Blunt 1. AU-53 (PCGS).A sharply defined, considerably lustrous example bathed in handsome deep honey-orange patina. The Mint reported that 37,628 half eagles were produced in 1800, no doubt including some coins dated 1799. The mintage from 1800-dated dies was achieved using five pairings, one with a pointed 1 in the date, and the remaining four using a defective 1 punch, blunting the top of the numeral. One of the Blunt 1 varieties, the BD-4 is also readily distinguishable by significant repunching to the letter M in AMERICA on the reverse, sometimes called a Small/Large M.The obverse die suffered from at least two separate clashing events that are noticeable on late die state examples, BD Die State d/c, as here. Despite this, the obverse die was subsequently used for the BD-5 coins. The reverse, however, had not only been clashed, but several edge cuds had also formed along with at least two noticeable cracks, all of which proved to be terminal.One of the more available early Capped Bust Right half eagles, this issue is found most frequently in circulated condition. This is an appealing example at the AU level that has been off the market for 40 years and is sure to impress a new generation of collectors.PCGS# 8082. NGC ID: 25NW.From our (Stacks) December Sale I, December 1981, lot 1006. Lot tag included.
