1810 Half Eagle

HBCC#:

3119

Breen#:

6461

BD#:

2

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

This is an extremely rare variety with only a small number of survivors. Walter Breen estimated fewer than eight examples known, with this estimate probably being quite accurate. Like the Large Date, Small 5 variety at HBCC-3118, Harry Bass acquired two different examples of this variety. Harry Bass was the successful bidder on a complete four coin major variety set of 1810 half eagles. This example is from that set purchased at Auction ’80.

Provenance:

From Paramount's session of Auction '80, August 1980, Lot 923. This lot was a four coin set including examples of each major 1810 variety. Previously from George Gozan.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Commentary:

"Obverse: Small Date. First 1 centered over space between two denticles, top markedly higher than that of 8. 8 slightly right of being centered over space between two denticles. 0 centered over space between two denticles. Die not rusted. Crack from edge thru first 1, thru clasp and hair, touching right top serif of Y, thru cap to edge at 2 o'clock. Also, a faint crack from bust into field above 18. Crack from denticle to lower front edge of drapery, then to top left serif of 1; thru upper portions of 810. Crack from edge thru star 9 to cap. Hairline cracks join stars 5-7, and 8-10. A later Die State than this has cracks from edge thru star three, field, nose, cheek, hair above ear; from edge, star 12, hair. THIS OBVERSE DIFFERENT FROM THAT Small Date OBVERSE USED WITH THE Tall 5 REVERSE. Reverse: Small 5, its top right point beneath lowest tip of feather above. Faint crack edge - along side of last leaf - claw. Light crack UNITED - leaves - 5 D - AMERICA. Large triangular rust lump in field to left of topmost leaf point, beneath right upright of U(NI). Four coin set of $5 1810 previously owned by George Gozan, who helped HWBJR a great deal."