1802/1 $5 Capped Bust Gold Half Eagle MS-64+ PCGS

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In the early years of United States coinage, the Philadelphia Mint produced a limited run of just 53,176 gold pieces of the five dollar denomination. Among these early treasures is a fascinating variety known to observers as the 1802 over 1 overdate. This specific coin, preserved in an extraordinary state of preservation, has been graded Mint State 64+ (MS-64+), making it a spectacular survivor from the dawn of American gold coinage. The obverse of this gold half eagle displays the date 1802, which reveals the clear remnants of the digit 1 underneath the final number. This overdate variety offers a direct window into the hands-on, resourceful die-making practices of the early Philadelphia Mint. The design is accompanied by the classic Capped Bust motif, while the reverse features the national heraldic eagle surrounded by the inscription STATES OF and the traditional motto UNUM. Containing 0.2577 troy ounces of gold, this historic coin represents a time when every single die was hand-engraved and utilized to its absolute limit. To encounter an early federal gold coin in such an exceptional state of preservation is a rare treat for anyone fascinated by the artistry and quirks of early American manufacturing.