1808 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle. BD-3. Rarity-4. Normal 5D. AU Details--Scratch (PCGS). Satiny on the reverse with modest semi-reflective tendencies in the obverse field, there is plenty of original luster remaining on both sides of this lightly circulated example. Sharp striking detail and vivid olive-gold and pale orange colors are also worthy of praise, while several faint scratches on the obverse explain the PCGS qualifier. Four different marriages combining three obverse dies and two reverse dies were employed to coin at least 55,578 half eagles in 1808. Two of these marriages bear overdates and two have normal dates. These are roughly divided evenly in terms of overall market availability, with the edge given to the normal date varieties. The key characteristic between the two reverse dies is the spacing between the 5 and D in the denomination. The BD-3 reverse has a well balanced, even spacing particular to this die, which was first used in 1807. Several hundred examples are known of all die varieties combined, with 100 to 125 of the BD-3 die pair believed extant (per John W. Dannreuther, 2006). No early gold half eagles can be considered common, and this more affordable AU example is sure to see spirited bidding among budget minded gold type collectors. From the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection.