1800 $5 AU58 Certification #49060520, PCGS #8082

Ron Guth

Based on data in the PCGS Population Report, the 1800 Half Eagle is the third most common Half Eagle of the Draped Bust type (the 1806/5 is the most common, followed by the 1803/2).  In fact, the total population of the 1800 matches closely that of the 1795 Small Eagle, which is valued more highly across the board.

Numerous Mint State examples of the 1800 Half Eagle exist, but they tend to be at the lower end of the Mint State range.  The largest concentration appears at the MS-62 levels, with less than two dozen better examples.  The best PCGS-graded 1800 Half Eagles include a single PCGS MS64+ and one amazing PCGS MS66.

According to John Dannreuther, five die varieties comprise the entire mintage for this year.  The varieties are distinguished by the shape of the 1 in the date (Blunt 1, with a missing, left serif at top; and Pointed 1, with the serif intact).  One variety (BD-4) sometimes comes with a rim cud over the NIT of UNITED.

David Akers (1975/88)

By early Half Eagle standards, the 1800 is fairly common and the date is reasonably available in all grades including choice uncirculated. Most specimens are relatively well struck.