1800 Half Eagle $5 NGC MS63. BD-5, R-3+. Uncirculated gold coins struck before 1834 are extremely scarce to extremely rare, and for many issues even unknown to exist. As such, regardless of date or variety, any mint state survivor of any gold denomination of this era should be considered with great care by serious collectors. For type set purposes, these high denomination coins are among the most difficult slots of such a set to acquire. However, when encountered, they are prime survivors of the early United States economy and coins which helped to build the young nation.

Two major varieties were struck in this year, identified by the numeral one punch in the date. On the present variety and three others, it has a blunt 1 punch, which had broken before it was first used, or shortly afterwards. It is easily identified by the flag of the 1 broken, as opposite to the pointed 1 variety, only encountered on a single obverse die this year, used for the extremely rare BD-1 variety. Because of the rarity of the latter, these numeral varieties are usually not differentiated, but they remain a very interesting subject to study.

The present variety is easily identified by the reverse die, which saw its only use while producing the present coin. Key identifiers are both the star touching the back of the eagles neck and the A touching the eagles left (viewers right) claw. The obverse die is the regular obverse die of this year, which lasted much longer than any reverse die during production, and struck all four blunt 1 varieties. Because of the study of the die cracks and clashing that developed on that obverse die, it has been determined that BD-5 was the last die pair used for production.

No gems have been certified by any of the major grading companies, and only very few coins have reached the MS-64 level. These have all brought extremely high prices at auction, making the present coin a relatively affordable example which is very suitable for a high grade date or type set. Its quality is outstanding, and no major blemishes are noted on either side. Fresh, satiny luster highlights this coin, which does not show any of the adjustment marks so frequently encountered on these precious gold coins. Strongly struck, with all of the important details boldly impressed, and the natural orange gold coloration make this the perfect coin for the discriminating specialist.