1813 $5 MS64 Certification #27314530, PCGS #8116

CAC. BD-1, R.2. Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/b. The Capped Bust Left design was modified in 1813, with the bust and eagle restyled and the stars arranged in a continuous arc above the portrait, instead of the 7x6 arrangement of the previous design. A substantial mintage of 95,428 pieces was achieved, with only two die varieties known for the date. This coin represents the more available BD-1 variety, identified by the position of the first S in STATES over the right side of E in PLURIBUS. The BD-1 is the only readily available date and variety of this design type, making it a favorite choice of type collectors. The BD-1 probably accounted for 60,000-75,000 pieces of the reported mintage, with a surviving population of 450-650 examples in all grades. John Reich's secret signature star punch, with the notched outside point, was used on star 13. The obverse die was also used to strike the BD-2 variety of this date, but the BD-1 is the only use of the reverse die. As a date, 1813 half eagles have been avidly collected since the 1850s, with an example appearing in lot 187 of the A.C. Kline Sale (Moses Thomas & Sons, 6/1855). More recent sales include the appearance of the present coin in lot 5093 of the FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2011), which realized $48,875. The coin offered here is a spectacular near-Gem example, with pleasing yellow-gold surfaces and strong rose highlights at the peripheries. The design elements are sharply detailed, and vibrant mint luster beams on both sides. A few light adjustment marks appear on Liberty's cheek on close inspection, but they have little impact on the coin's extraordinary visual appeal. Population: 48 in 64, 3 finer (6/12). 48/4 (1/14)

David Akers (1975/88)

The 1813 is the first year of this design that lasted only 16 years and yet encompasses more famous rarities than any other type of U.S. coin. Although moderately scarce in all grades, the 1813 is not nearly as rare as the other dates of this type and is by far the most common in uncirculated condition. Nevertheless, full MS-65 coins are rare and in great demand as type coins. Most specimens I have seen were softly struck at the borders.