1818 $5 Capped Bust Half Eagle, STATESOF PCGS AU50 (CAC)

Simply put, this is a magnificent example of the more difficult Capped Bust Half Eagles, series struck between 1814 and 1819. Coins within this five year period are few and far between, and even more difficult to find this nicely preserved. We just lcoated this coin at this past week's Manchester coin show, where it reportedly had been held by the same family for over fifty years. This is the BD-2 variety, identified by the run-on wording STATESOF on the reverse. From an estimated mintage of 48,588+ (all three varieties), it is estimated that fewr than 100-125 exist in all states-of-preservation. As for those endorsed by CAC, there are a total of 19 in all grades. In About Uncirculated (AU), there is one AU50 (this coin), one AU53 and two AU55's. CAC values these AU coins between $19,600 and $20,900, but we note there hasn't been a single example that has appeared at public auction since 2015, when a NGC AU55 CAC sold for $14,688. What makes this coin stand out from the one sold seven years ago is the color on the surfaces. It is a rich, gold with bright highlights enhanced by a deeper reddish tone around the devices. Well-worth putting away in an advanced type set-!