1802/1 Capped Bust Right Half Eagle. BD-7. Rarity-5. High Overdate. MS-61 (NGC). Offered is a desirable Mint State early half eagle with rich, deep honey-orange color to satiny surfaces. The strike is well centered and nicely executed for the type, with most design elements displaying sharp to full detail. Attractive in all regards. BD Die State c/b.<p>Of the eight known die marriages of the 1802 half eagle, all are overdates, and BD-7 is among the scarcer marriages. Based on the number of coins extant, John W. Dannreuther (<em>Early U.S. Gold Coin Varieties: A Study of Die States, 1795-1834</em>, 2006) believes that the reported mintage of 53,176 pieces for calendar year 1802 roughly approximates the number of half eagles struck from 1802-dated dies. The author further opines that just 3,000 to 6,000 examples were coined from the BD-7 die pairing, survivors numbering just 50 to 65 pieces in all grades. While this is a small total in an absolute sense, to be sure, it is actually fairly generous by early half eagle standards. Attractive Mint State survivors such as this are particularly rare and enjoy their greatest potential as superior quality type coins for inclusion in advanced gold cabinets. Sure to see spirited bidding at auction. PCGS# 8083. NGC ID: 25NX. From the Pacific Rim Collection.
