***Auction Highlight*** 1804 Small/Large 8 BD-7 R4 Draped Bust Gold Half Eagle $5 Graded ms63+ By SEGS. HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT – Up for Auction is a Superb example of the 1804 Draped Bust $5 Gold, Small 8 over Large 8 Variety. Bass-Dannreuther Die State b/b, both sides clashed and lapped, with faint die cracks on the reverse. Three different Bass-Dannreuther varieties share a common 1804-dated obverse that shows the small 8 in the date over a much larger 8 underneath. Bass-Dannreuther call it Normal/Large 8, since they point out that the final numeral punch is the correct and normal one for the issue. Older collectors are used to the terminology Small/Large 8, simply in recognition of the considerable size difference in the two 8s. This is the terminology used in the Guide Book. In point of fact, however, all four date digits are repunched, the 180 obviously and the 4 a bit less so.Whatever one chooses to call the three similar varieties, they are quite popular, due both to the famous 1804 date and to the easy visibility of the repunching on the date. As mentioned, three varieties, BD-5 through BD-7, share a common obverse. The BD-5 is very rare at High R.6, the BD-6 is rare at R.5, and the BD-7, as here, is very scarce at R.4. The reverse of the BD-7 can be spotted by the upper eagle's beak biting down on a star point, and the upright of E over the space between clouds. Bass-Dannreuther estimate that 7,500 to 12,500 coins of this die pairing were produced, of which 100 to 150 survive today. The present piece, in Choice Uncirculated condition, is one of the finest known examples surviving.The surfaces of this attractive Choice specimen are bright yellow-gold with a complementary reddish tinge. Ample luster radiates from each side, with some semiprooflike reflectivity appearing on the reverse. The strike is well-detailed, producing complete hair details on Liberty and the breast feathers on the eagle, but some softness on the arrow fletchings and claw. Overall eye appeal is outstanding. I have included an ms63 and an ms64 for your comparison. 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