1802/1 $5 BD-3, R.7, Genuine

1802/1 BD-3 Half Eagle
Extremely Rare Variety

1802/1 $5 BD-3, R.7, PCGS Genuine. In our opinion, this coin has the details of a VG specimen that has smoothed surfaces and a mount removed. Solder is evident between the ER in LIBERTY, and smoothing is seen on the tops of LIB and the reverse dentils near 5:30. This wheat-gold example is worn, but the peripheral legends are clear, the devices are outlined, and all stars are apparent. An extremely rare die marriage. We know of only four other examples: the Harry W. Bass, Jr. specimen in the ANA Museum; the McCoy Family specimen from our January 2018 FUN Signature; an AU53 NGC coin auctioned in our May 2008 Long Beach Signature; and the Marvin Taichert specimen from a May 2001 Stack's sale. A sixth piece, the Waldo C. Newcomer specimen, is unconfirmed and may be one of the other examples.

A PCGS Genuine example, often with "UNC Details" and issues like filed rims, sold for ($22,800) in 2022