1813 Half Eagle

HBCC#:

3126

Breen#:

6467

BD#:

2

Judd#:

n/a

Pollock#:

n/a

This is the second variety of 1813 half eagle, with a different reverse die than that displayed at HBCC-3125. A quick attribution point is the position of the first S in STATES, in relation to the E directly below. On this reverse, the lower left serif of S is over the upright of E. On the other variety, HBCC-3125, the same serif is over the center of E. This variety was first described by Edgar Adams; however, it was unlocated when Walter Breen prepared his 1966 monograph. Later, in his New Varieties monograph, Breen credited Harry Bass with relocating this other variety.

Provenance:

From Quality Sales Corporation's sale of the John A. Beck Collection, Part I, January 1975, Lot 393.

Obverse:

Reverse:

Commentary:

"Obverse: New Design. No drapery. Die center punch lump between curl and ear. Wide date. S(T) over E and space right. Further lapped. Lump at star 2, lowest point, now faint. Clash within LIBERTY less evident. Die rust patches between stars 3 and 4; between cap and star 12. Crack diagonally from bust tip to edge. Reverse: Modified devices; motto letters tall, shield more nearly symmetrical, right wing bone more angulated than that of 1812. No tongue. S(T) a bit right of being centered over E. D markedly double punched. Period high relative to D. Crack base of D thru period, continuing thru tops of MERICA. Clash in shield. Rediscovery of Adams 1 reverse; reused in 1814 and 1815. Far less frequently seen than is reverse A."