1807 Half Eagle

HBCC#:

3109

Breen#:

6453

BD#:

8

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

John Reich joined the Mint engraving staff on April 1, 1807 and was immediately assigned the task of redesigning all United States coins. His first projects were this half eagle and the half dollar, the principle denominations in production at that time. Other denominations appeared with the new designs over the next several years with the half dime following all others in 1829. Two varieties are known among the 1807 half eagles with a single obverse and two different reverses. This example is from the more common variety, one of the most common die varieties of all early half eagles.

Provenance:

From Lester Merkin's sale of March 1969, Lot 184.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Commentary:

"Obverse: Bust left. Small numerals. Large stars. No crack. Clashed. Lapped. Reverse: Small (clash?) lump in left field of shield. No clash in shield. Long leaf close to left side of U(N). (E)D away from right wing. (E)S widely spaced. Close 5D., tall 5. I in motto below upright of E(S). (E)S above U in motto and space to left. Not clashed."