1831 Half Eagle

HBCC#:

3158

Breen#:

6493

BD#:

1

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

This 1831 half eagle with Small 5D reverse is from the same coinage die as HBCC-3157. A very small percentage of the 140,594-coin mintage survives, with very few of those in higher quality. The quoted mintage figure includes examples of both varieties, including HBCC-3159. Clearly less than 200 examples of both varieties survive. This example is from the Gilhousen Collection and was acquired by Harry Bass from the 1973 auction of that collection. Unfortunately, the reverse has been repaired.

Provenance:

From Superior's sale of the Gilhousen Collection, February 1973, Lot 359.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Commentary:

"Obverse: Large stars, as 1829 Type I! Small date, 1s taller than other digits. Symmetrical 8. Stars 2 and 10 recut. Crack edge - star 5. Not clashed. Reverse: That of 1830A. Small letters. Small 5, its top but slightly concave. Small D; larger period, close to D. Modified claws. No rear claw. Further lapped, berry stems now stubs."