None (all dates
of this type were struck at the Philadelphia mint)
Introduction:
Except for the 1800 with M corrected from a much larger
M (probably that from the font used for eagles or silver
dollars), vars. of 1800-3 are mostly minor, with the
peculiarity that each obv. outlasted many minutely differing
revs. The mintage figure for 1800 includes [26,006]
minted in 1801 from dies of 1800. As long ago as 1860,
Dr. Dickeson reported seeing half eagles dated 1801,
and collectors long hunted them in vain. To date all
six "1801" coins met with have proved to be
forgeries, made by removing the 2 from 1802/1.
Auction Appearances
and Collateral Evidence:
According to auction records of the past decade, this
is one of the most common dates of the type, just edging
out dates such as 1802 and 1803. Circulated examples
are relatively easy to locate up to AU-58. Even Mint
State examples are somewhat plentiful, making this one
of the most affordable early U.S. gold coins in top
condition. Several MS-64 examples have been certified,
but none have reached a higher certification. Out of
the nearly 200 auction appearances since 1994, only
two MS-64 coins have sold at auction. In 2005, a raw
gem sold for $241,500, greatly exceeding the previous
price record. The reports of Proof examples of this
date appear to have been wishful thinking.
Number of Appearances:
177 (53%)
(2) Proof:
Kern 1950; Roach 1944
(42) Unc: Stack's 12/78; Kreisberg/Cohen
10/78; B&R 10/77; AAA 5/76; New England 11/75;
ANA 1975; Pine Tree 6/75; Beck 1975(2); Stack's 11,/12/74;
Scanlon 1973; Stack's 5 72; Shapero 1971; Kreisberg
9/71, 11/70; Merkin 4/70, 3/69; Stack's 3/69; Miles
1968; Shuford 1968; Kosoff 2/68; Jay 1967; Stack's
6/67, 10/65; ANA 1965; Pierce 1965; ANA 1963; Fed.
Brand 1963; ANA 1959; Melish 1956; Baldenhofer 1955;
Menjou 1950 (2); MC 1948; Lee 1947; WGC 1946 (2);
Hall 1945; Bell 1944; Flanagan 1944; Roach 1944; Dunham
1941
(39) AU: New England 11/78; Kagin's
9/78; Pine Tree 6/78; Superior 2/78; ANA 1977; Ivy
12/76; Beck 1976; ANA 1975; Pine Tree 6/75, 2/75;
Beck 1975; Paramount 5/74; Kreisberg/Cohen 9/73; Stack's
6/73; RARCOA 5/73; Stack's 3/73; RARCOA 2/72; Stack's
12/71; Kreisberg 9/71; ANA 1971; Stack's 5/71, 2/70,
9/68; Kreisberg 10/66; Bolt 1966; Kreisberg 11/65;
Kosoff 10/65; Kreisberg 6/65; ANA 1964; Bell 1963;
Golden 1963; Wolfson 1962; Holmes 1960; ANA 1956;
Melish 1956; Baldenhofer 1955 (2); Davis/ Graves 1954;
Ten Eyck 1922
Comments: 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. The two auction
records for "proofs" are erroneous: no true
proofs are known to exist.
