HBF Core Collection - Detail for object 3143

HBCC-3143, Breen-6479
1821 Half Eagle
Type: Capped Head
Denomination: $5.00
Mint: Philadelphia

HBCC-3143 1821 $5.00. Curved Base 2. Breen's Complete Encyclopedia (1988)-6479; Breen Early U.S. Half Eagles 1795-1838 (1966)-3A; Bass-1/1820E(a). Rarity-7. Circulation Strike.
Physical Description: Sharply struck with deep greenish gold lustre and outstanding aesthetic appeal. Very lightly abraded surfaces.
Die Notes and Comments: This reverse was first used in 1820 and continued in use through 1824. Note the notch in the right upright of each T, just above the base. This feature is characteristic of four different reverse dies, each first used in 1820.
Die State: Perfect dies with notable defects.
Provenance: From Stack's sale of the Nate Shapero Collection, October 1971, Lot 975. Earlier from that firm's sale of the Wolfson Collection, 1962.
Narrative: This issue begins the trend of very rare half eagles, which continues throughout the decade. Interestingly, several die varieties exist for extremely low populations, suggesting that the recorded mintages are realistic, despite very low survival rates. Walter Breen recorded three different varieties, resulting from three obverse dies and a single reverse die. Two examples retained from the Bass Collection are from this single die pair. Two examples in the Smithsonian Institution are also both from this die pair. Careful examination of those coins enumerated by Walter Breen in his Early U.S. Half Eagles 1795-1838 (1966) suggest that his variety 1A does not actually exist. An example of Breen-2A appeared in the Michael I. Keston Collection, sold by Superior Stamp & Coin in January 1996. Those examples recorded by Walter Breen for his variety 1-A all match the plate in this Superior catalogue for variety 2A, or match the present coin, an example of Breen-3A.
Harry W. Bass, Jr. Commentary: "Obverse: Curve-based 2. Belted 8. Star 13 just touches hair, point pointing to a denticle. Reverse: That of 1820E. Large letters. 'Punched' T (letter T has a triangular punch in bottom of upright). S over E and space right. T over R and space right. S over S and space left. Base of E in line with that of adjacent T. Perfect M. Close 5D, top of 5 even with that of D. Large period. Tip of bottom arrowhead immediately below right base serif of I (distinctive)." Inventory number 15417.