1834 CAPPED BUST $5, CAPPED-PLAIN 4 NGC MS61

Mint State 1834 Capped Bust half eagle, Plain 4, certified MS61 by NGC. Often called the “Fat Head” half eagle by specialists, this short-lived gold type is far scarcer than its more familiar Classic Head successor. The notes describe bright, lustrous surfaces, an important quality for early gold that frequently survives with wear, marks, or past handling. Fewer than 41 pieces are believed to exist in all grades for this issue, underscoring its rarity. Collectors prize the Plain 4 variety for its distinctive early gold status and its place near the end of the Capped Bust half eagle design.