BD-1, High Rarity-4. There are probably no more than 100 or so known for this date and it is considerably harder to find than the 1818 and 1820, its two rivals in the Fat Head series when it comes to overall rarity and price. This piece is lightly circulated but its slightly weak strike makes it appear a bit more worn than it actually is.

BD-2, Rarity 2. Early die state with no cracks or clashing noted. I really like being able to offer Heraldic Eagle ten dollar gold pieces for sale on my website but the problem with these beautiful coins is that nearly all the ones that I see these days are washed-out, free of any color and grossly overgraded. That’s why I was so happy to obtain this coin.

Bust Right variety. BD-1, High R-4. Small Reverse stars; the only one of the six half eagles struck this year with this reverse and a distinct naked-eye variety as such. Old Green Holder. A stunning, semi-prooflike example with deep natural yellow gold color seen over the partially reflective fields.

As recently as a few years ago, the true rarity of this Civil War eagle was not really known outside of the Liberty Head eagle specialist community but this changed when a PCGS AU58 example sold for $25,300 in the Stack’s 8/10 auction. There were 10,960 struck but most 1862 eagles were melted and the number known today is likely no more than 100-125 in all grades.

Bass Collection Pedigree Let’s say that you are a type collector and you want a nice No Motto half eagle from the New Orleans mint in Uncirculated. You really don’t have alot of choices as only one date–the 1844-O–is relatively obtainable in Uncirculated. And if your budget is around $5,000 for a nice coin, than this piece is exactly what you are looking for.

The 1867-S is not an especially scarce date in circulated grades although it isn’t easy to locate in properly graded AU55 to AU58. In Uncirculated, this date is actually quite rare with probably no more than a dozen or so known. The finest is a PCGS MS64 that is ex B+M 6/01: 1214 (where it sold very reasonably at $12,650) and the next finest is Bass II:555, graded MS63 by PCGS, that brought $9,487.