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TURBAN HEAD FIVE DOLLARS OR HALF EAGLE (1795-1807)
EAGLE AND SHIELD ON REVERSE (1797-1807)

1804 Half Eagle

1804 Half Eagle
1804 Half Eagle
PCGS No: 8085, 8086
Mintage:  
Circulation strikes: 30,475
Proofs: 0
Designer: Robert Scot
Diameter: ±25 millimeters
Metal content: Gold - 91.7%
Silver and Copper - 8.3%
Weight: ±135 grains (8.748 grams)
Edge: Reeded
Mintmark: None (all dates of this type were struck at the Philadelphia mint)

 

Introduction:
Many coins delivered in 1804 bore date 1803. The common¬est var. dated 1803 (Breen 1-D) shows crack through shield, branch, and E(RICA), evidently following the two least rare 1804's, which have this same rev. uncracked or with less of the crack developed. "Large date" coins (alias "large 8") of 1804 are from a blundered die: Scot first punched 180 into the die blank, using the extra-large numeral punches intended for the $10 coins. When he positioned the 4 for hammering in next to the 0, he noticed that there was not enough room for it. The next step was to have this die blank reground to efface part of the large 180. and to enter the date from smaller punches, from the font in use for cent dies.

Auction Appearances and Collateral Evidence:
Although called a "Small 8," the 8 of the date is no smaller here than on any of the sur¬rounding years. The name persists, however, in order to differentiate this variety from the repunched date known as the 1804, Small 8 Over Large 8 (see next). The 1804 half eagle is relatively common and compares favorably in population with the 1799, 1800, and 1805 issues. The Small 8 variety and the Small 8 Over Large 8 variety are of equal rarity, although the former shows up more frequently at auction and in the population reports. Mint State examples are somewhat scarce, and no examples have been certified higher than MS-64. The auction record for this variety is $40,250, set in 2005 by a PCGS MS-64 coin.


Number of Appearances: 91 (27%)

(31) Unc: Stack's 12 78; Kreisberg Cohen 10 78; Kagin's 5'78; ANA 1977; Beck 1975; RARCOA 5 73; Delp 1972; DiBello 1970; Kreisberg 4 67; Stack's 10,65; Pierce 1965; Fed. Brand 1963; Golden 1963; Melish 1956; Baldenhofer 1955; Davis Graves 1954 (3); Kern 1950; MC 1948 (2); Lee 1947; Atwater 1946; WGC 1946(3); Hall 1945; Bell 1944; Flanagan 1944; Roach 1944; Dunham 1941

(24) AU: Stack's 2/79; NASCA 12/78; Kagin's 9/78; Ivy 7/78; Superior 6/78; Stack's 5/78; B&R 10,77; Stack's 11/76; Paramount 5 76; Beck 1976, 1975; Stack's 9/74; Paramount 5 74 (2), 2/70; Stack's 12,69; Merkin 3,69; Miles 1968; Stack's 6 68; Merkin 11/65; Kosoff 10/65; Stack's 9/65; Walton 1963; Golden 1962

(21) EF: RARCOA 8 78; B&R 10'77; Beck 2/77; Superior 2'75; Beck 1975; Pine Tree (GENA) 1974; Scanlon 1973; Stack's 6 73; Paramount 2 73; Shapero 1971; Stack's 5/71; Alto 1970; Stack's 10 66; Bolt 1966; Fed. Brand 1963; Holmes 1960; Melish 1956 (2); Farouk 1954; Roach 1944; Jenks 1921

(12) VF: NASCA 11/77; Beck 2 77; Superior 12/72; Stack's 9 72; Shuford 1968; Wolfson 1962; Melish 1956(2); Baldenhofer 1955; Menjou 1950; Neil 1947; Roach 1944

(3) Fine: Gilhousen 1973; Walton 1963; Melish 1956

Comments:
As a date, the 1804 is no more scarce than any of the other 1800-1807 Heraldic Eagle Half Eagles. However, when broken into the two major varieties listed in this book, each is somewhat more scarce than the other Half Eagles of this period with the exception of the 1806 Pointed 6. The 1804 Small 8 is obtainable in all grades and gems are encountered with some regularity. One major subvariety (pictured) has the 4 in the date distinctly repunched. It is prominent enough that most cataloguers call attention to it but, although it is more rare than the normal date Small 8 variety, it does not command a premium price.

See this 1804 Half Eagle for sale. Click here!

Courtesy Akers: United States Gold Coins - An Analysis of Auction Records




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