1803/2 $5.00 PCGS MS63+ CAC

BD-4, Rarity-4. I am not always a fan of the plus grade system that both PCGS and NGC employ but in this case I feel that this coin totally deserves some sort of special recognition as it is clearly better than the average MS63 example. The obverse and reverse show a deep, unmolested yellow-gold hue with rich frosty luster and great eye appeal. The strike is sharp and the surfaces are free of all but the smallest ticks in the obverse fields. There are a few adjustment marks on the reverse but this is the sort of early gold coin that is almost never seen any more and it seems as original an example of this type as one could hope for. The last PCGS MS64 1803/2 half eagle to sell at auction was Heritage 1/12: 4850 and this coin, which was also approved by CAC, brought a hefty $57,500. I honestly don't think you could see $25,000 worth of difference between that coin and the one offered here and, to my eyes, the current piece has as much overall eye appeal. A wonderful Bust Right half eagle for the advanced early gold collector and one of the freshest, most attractive example of this specific date that I can recall having seen.

As of June 2012, this is the only MS63+ example of this date graded by PCGS.