***Auction Highlight*** 1798 Small 8 BD-6 Gold Draped Bust Half Eagle $5 Graded au55 Details By SEGS. 1798 $5 ...

***Auction Highlight*** 1798 Small 8 BD-6 Gold Draped Bust Half Eagle $5 Graded au55 Details By SEGS. 1798 $5 Draped Bust Gold Half Eagle, Small 8, BD-6 Variety, au55 details SEGS. Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/b. The very rare BD-6 is actually one of the three 1798 half eagle varieties classified as Large Eagle, Small 8, along with the BD-7 and BD-8. (John Dannreuther calls these "Normal 8" rather than the traditional Small 8 terminology.) The three die pairs together constitute the Small 8 Guide Book variety, although the BD-7 is rarer than BD-6, and the BD-8 is not as rare. The distinguishing attributes for the BD-6 are the Small 8 touching the bust (it is distant on BD-7 and BD-8), the broad 1 in the date, and the irregular cross pattern of the stars on the reverse. Ranked R.6, this variety is estimated to survive in all grades to the extent of only 30 to 40 coins. This Mint State example is orange-gold with excellent eye appeal despite the scattered, mostly small marks. Perceptible reflectivity on each side. The strike is somewhat soft on the central details of each side. A noticeable die crack on the reverse runs from the rim left of O(F) through a cloud and the right side of (UNU)M to the top of the eagle's right wing. No planchet adjustment marks are visible on either side. . We have included pictures of another au58, example A Corey's Pick, Bid to Win, Don't let it get Away, you might not find its equal Coin. I give this coin my highest recommendation