1807 $5 Bust Left MS 65

Description

Amazing early American gold in extraordinary Mint State preservation, this 1807 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle represents one of the great rarities of early United States coinage. Designed by John Reich, whose celebrated Capped Bust motif is best known on the half dollars of 1807–1834, the half eagle debuted in 1807 and remains one of the most historically significant gold issues of the early Mint. While Liberty’s portrait closely resembles that of the contemporary half dollar, the distinctive eagle design sets this classic gold coin apart. Mint records indicate that just 51,065 examples were struck in 1807. While that number may seem substantial, many were lost to the melting pots of the early nineteenth century, and the denomination’s primary role in bank and commercial transactions ensured that most survivors saw at least some circulation. As a result, Mint State examples are of the utmost rarity today. The specimen we have the privilege of offering is without question the finest 1807 Capped Bust Left Half Eagle we have ever handled. It is fascinating to imagine how this coin survived. Perhaps it was obtained directly from the Philadelphia Mint as a first-year keepsake and carefully preserved from the day it was struck. Whatever its story, there is no doubt that this remarkable coin has been cherished for more than 219 years. Both sides display richly frosted surfaces accented by warm orange-gold overtones, while the strike is razor sharp and unusually well-centered for the issue. In fact, the level of detail rivals that seen on Liberty gold coinage produced nearly a century later. The surfaces are exceptionally clean and free from distracting marks, preserving a fresh, vibrant appearance that closely resembles the day the coin left the Mint. A truly breathtaking survivor that escaped both circulation and the melting pot, this is an extraordinary opportunity to acquire one of the finest examples of an iconic early American gold rarity