1807
Half Eagle - 1812 Half Eagle - Capped
Bust to Left, 1807 and 1812 Half Eagle Two Coin Set
The
numismatic adventure can be enriched by acquiring groups of
coins in meaningful combinations. Sets of coins can run from
two pieces to many. In the areas of rare date and early silver
and gold coins we have established certain sets of special
interest. They include the first and last of an issue, type
sets, design sets, year sets, and those that are joined by
historical events such as the Civil War. The coins of each
set are specially selected for you and your collecting needs.
We are specialists in this
area and will expertly and confidentially help you assemble
a set similar to the one you see below, which is made up of
pieces from the US Rare Coin Investments’ archives.
We will cherry pick through millions of dollars of rare coins
selecting only the finest quality pieces for your collection.
A Set of First and
Last Half Eagles, Capped Bust to Left, 1807 and 1812
John Reich designed the
Capped Bust to Left half eagle, which was issued from 1807
to 1812. It is similar to his Capped Bust half dollar that
was minted from 1807 to 1836. Mintages ranged from 33,875
to 100,287, which were high for the times, and the coins
were widely circulated and were the most important gold
denomination in the early part of the century. From 1809
to 1820, the half eagle was the only gold denomination made
in the United States. Many were later melted when the value
of their gold content exceeded their face value. Adjustment
marks are sometimes seen, but they are often insignificant
because of better striking methods.
Like Reich’s quarter
eagle of 1808, the design shows Liberty in profile facing
left wearing a LIBERTY inscribed cap that was intended to
represent a Phrygian cap. It has seven stars to the left
of Liberty and six to the right with the date below. The
reverse shows a heraldic eagle with its wings raised. It
is more defiant than its predecessor with its mouth opened
and its neck aggressively curved. The inscription UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc around the eagle, interrupted
by the wing tips. On a banner over the eagle’s head
between its wings is the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The denomination
written as 5 D is below. Dentils are seen at the periphery
of both sides of the coin.
Reich
corrected the error made by Robert Scot in the design
of the previous half eagle (as well as his other heraldic
eagle motifs). Scot had placed the arrows in the eagle’s
right or dexter claw and put the olive branch in the
left or sinister claw. This reversal of the positions
of these two items is an inaccurate modification of
the Great Seal of the United States. Arrows in the
right claw symbolize extreme militarism, perhaps placed
there because of the recent hostilities with France
over shipping rights. The symbolism was being used
to make a statement to France and others about the
sovereignty of the United States. On the Capped Bust
Half Eagle, the olive branch is in the right claw
and the arrows are in the left.
1807
Half Eagle - Eye appealing luster
drips from this lovely Early 1807 Half Eagle. The
coin has clean fields with virtually no contact marks
observable. The strike is full and sharp on both sides.
We see every detail of each device including all of
Liberty’s curls and every feather on the eagle
and line in the shield. Light clash marks are seen
on the obverse, which do not detract from the coin’s
eye appeal or grade.
1812
Half Eagle - The last year of issue
is the third-rarest of the series. It is available
in lower Mint State grades but rare in Gem condition.
This eye-appealing, mint state Capped Bust gold 1812
Half Eagle has an almost cameo appearance with light
devices seen against darker fields.
The coin is well struck with full
details on the centers of the stars, the hair details,
the eagle, and the shield. As expected for a mint
state coin, no wear is seen. The surfaces are clean
for the grade with some light adjustment marks seen
on the reverse left. Smoldering mint luster is seen
within the devices on both sides.
