Early gold specialists - quesion re: 1820 $5 variety

northcoin

The curved base 2, large letter reverse variety of the 1820 $5 gold piece in MS60 is priced at the same price as all other varieties in the 2005 Redbook as well as on the price guide of this site (pcgs website price guide). However, my 2004 U.S. Coin Digest doubles the price for this variety in MS-60. Is this variety a true rarity in MS-60 and what is its current market value in that grade? I am being offered $11,000 or the coin - would I be giving it away at that price since the 2004 U.S. Coin Digest prices it at $20,000. (I don't have the current U.S. Coin Digest or Coin Values information at hand.)

RYK

Trends in AU 50 is $7000 for small letters, $7500 for large letters. No higher grade numbers are offered. Greysheet in MS-60 is $8000 and makes no distinction for the varieties. Since most people who collect these do so by type, not date, and even fewer, if any, by variety, I doubt that any premium is warranted, despite the low pop # of your coin. Just my opinion, seek others.

Baley

Breen actually lists 3 major varieties of the 1820 half eagle: 6476-- the flat based 2 with large letters, which is rare; 6477--the curve based 2 with large letters, which is very rare; and 6478--the curved based 2 with small letters, which is very rare and rarer than the large letters varieties.

The large and small letters refers to the letters on the reverse, and is particularly noticeable on the letters ATE in States.

I would very much like to see some pictures of your coin.

northcoin

Thanks for the resppnses. Any other early gold specialists with a response? It sounds like all 1820 fives are rare or is that just for ones AU and above?

northcoin

Did get a chance to check some more current price guides. The February 2005 issue of Coin Values (which just came out) prices an 1820 curved base 2, Large letters reverse at $15,000 in MS-60. Seems to be a significant increase from the above referenced Trends price. Curious if there may have been some recent auction reportings upon which same is based.

northcoin

Thanks again.