1804 $5 Draped Bust - Small 8 - PCGS MS63 - FABULOUS SATIN SURFACES - PQ - RARE!

This incredibly rare and stunningly beautiful specimen is a rare and valuable 1804 $5 Draped Bust gold coin with a small 8 variety. This coin has been certified as PCGS MS63 and features fabulous satin surfaces and is a stone cold PQ for the assigned grade! The year 1804 is famous in numismatic circles for its string of rarities, from the difficult 1804 dime, quarter, and quarter eagle, the planned but not produced 1804 half dollar, the key 1804 cent, and, of course, the "King of American Coins," the 1804 dollar. Among all denominations, the 1804 half eagle is one of the more available issues in the context of its series. Seven die marriages exist, with three in the R.4 range, including the present BD-1. However, it is by no means a common coin. In fact, it is quite rare in this lofty grade with only 7 coins graded finer at PCGS. The mintage of 30,475 is only about 10% lower than the surrounding years, and is significantly above all dates of the 1790s.
However, high grade examples such as this piece are far from common. Across the Small 8 type (BD-1 through BD-4), PCGS lists just 19 certifications in MS63, two in 63+, three in 64, and two in 64+ (1/26). NGC notes five in 63, four in 64, and one in 64+. For this die marriage, just the MS64 PCGS Bass example and an MS63+ PCGS are the only piece sold in more than a decade past. Resubmissions almost certainly inflate these figures. Given the fabled status of the year, the quality of the coin, and its rarity in high states of preservation, this half eagle would represent an incredible addition to a specialist's collection.
PCGS MS62 - PQ with claims to a higher grade!