A 1795 Gold Liberty

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

I have already discussed in this group the interest of collectors for the US coins from the late eighteenth century. The few copies of 1 cent coins that have survived are the subject of fierce competition.

Let us discuss now a more classical lot, but in an exceptional condition, at Heritage in Beverly Hills on July 31. It is a $ 5 gold coin dated 1795 of type "half eagle, small eagle reverse." The obverse shows the bust of Liberty, in profile. The monetary value is not indicated on the coin.

This piece is almost mint and prooflike. Copies of American coins are subject to specialized databases. The auction house says that only one copy of this type is known in a better condition. The lot offered for sale presents a rare feature: a letter of the reverse was an error which was corrected by reprint over it. This variety was known.

In the Comics group, I noted that the ratings used by Heritage were sufficiently accurate to provide reliable predictions, including extrapolation for the lots in outstanding condition. I see with pleasure that it is the case also for coins.

Probably for this reason, Heritage publishes data but no estimate for the lot. I do not copy here because they are the property of the site, but I invite you to access through the link in the press release.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Here's the result: K $ 345 premium included.

Let us analyze now with reference to the condition. This price represents the average of the six databases used by Heritage for this model in Grade 64. This coin announced in Grade 65 should have been more expensive of about 85 % for this specific model.

We need more data to confirm the reliability of databases for coins in outstanding condition. Consider that the analysis of defects is so detailed that an error of a single grade is acceptable. In these circumstances, the result is satisfactory.