1847 $5.00 NGC MS62

The 1847 is one of the more available No Motto half eagles in higher grades but it is not common in properly graded MS62 and even harder to find with the sort of "look" that this choice example shows. The surfaces are frosty and clean with lovely deep, rich green-gold color. There are a few light dirt spots clinging to the letters and one larger area of dirt (possibly a grease stain?) at the dead center of the obverse. This choice, sharply struck piece has clearly never been cleaned or dipped and it would make a perfect type example for the collector with sophisticated tastes but a somewhat limited budget.

1847 $2.50 NGC MS63 CAC

One of the things that I like about Philadelphia quarter eagles is that you can still buy important Condition Census coins for less than $10,000. Take this 1847 for example. As a date, the 1847 is quite undervalued and it is actually scarcer in terms of overall rarity and high grade rarity than its heralded branch mint counterparts. There are likely no more than ten Uncirculated 1847 quarter eagles known of which only one, a PCGS MS64 that I sold to the owner of the greatest collection of Liberty quarter eagles ever formed, a few years ago. This particular example is bright and very lustrous with a vibrancy that is not often seen on quarter eagles of this era. The surfaces show some scattered abrasions from handling with none of these worthy of specific mention. Some 1847 quarter eagles are weakly struck on the eagle's legs but this one has full feathers. No MS63 examples of this date have ever been sold at auction. A coin with great upside potential.

1847 $5.00 PCGS MS61

To the naked-eye, this example has the appearance of an MS63 but a pair of small scratches on the reverse above VE in FIVE has caused PCGS to properly net grade it to MS61. That said, this is a lovely 1847 half eagle with rich, velvety luster, nice orange-gold color and complete definition on the obverse and reverse. The 1847 is perhaps the most available No Motto half eagle from this decade (and one of the three or four most common No Motto issues of any date) which make it affordable and ideal for type. With marginal quality AU coins now selling for around $1,000, a nice PCGS MS61 at just a small premium over this represents excellent value.