1798 $5 Draped Bust Half Eagle, Small 8 Large Eagle BD-8 NGC AU55 R6

Rare BD-8 Marriage, Small 8--only 40-50 survivors!

Bass-Dannreuther Die State a/b. A rich greenish-gold example of this scarce date and rare die variety.

There were three Small 8 dies employed for the 1798 issue. BD-8 is identified by the low position of the 8 in the date, furthest from the bust truncation. (Bass-Dannreuther calls these dies "Normal 8s.") A well-struck piece, with no die cracks or laminations. No distracting marks are present. Color is original and beautiful.

The significance of this offering is understandable to the specialist, since few examples of this variety ever appear at auction.

BD-8 diagnostics per Heritage Auctions:

The date is narrow with the 8 away from the bust, and on the reverse the first A in AMERICA touches the wing and the last A touches the claw, a distinctive and easily remembered appearance. 

Diagnostics for the BD-8 rare variety on this exact coin from AUCM:  

On obverse the 8 is away from the bust.

On reverse the first A in AMERICA touches the wing and the last A touches the claw.