DESIRABLE PCGS AU58+ 1850-D HALF EAGLE

It is difficult to imagine an issue in the ultra-popular Dahlonega half eagle series being overlooked, but high-grade examples of the 1850-D are far scarcer than generally acknowledged. This is one of the most difficult Dahlonega half eagles to locate in Uncirculated with just two or three known. The highest graded 1850-D is a PCGS MS61, and even the world-class Duke’s Creek Collection contained a coin graded MS61 which wasn’t choice. I rank the 1850-D as the fifth scarcest of 26 half eagles from this mint.

The present coin is the only 1850-D half eagle graded AU58+ by either service, and it is tantalizingly close to Uncirculated with nearly full mint luster seen on the obverse and the reverse. The color is a pleasing light green-gold, and the strike is solid for the issue with good detail seen at the centers. The mintmark is very slightly weak but it is still fully visible and this is typical for this issue. The most notable mark is placed at the inside of two points of the second star; the reverse is clean and wholesome. The overall eye appeal is extremely good for a date which is almost never found choice.

Since 2003, there have been just three APRs for an 1850-D in PCGS AU58, representing two distinct coins. The most recent record was Heritage 4/2009: 3775 (at $7,188) and this coin was heavily processed and totally unoriginal. A PCGS MS61 sold for $22,800 as Stack's Bowers 3/18: 10340.

This exact coin is the Coinfacts plate for the date.

If a nice PCGS MS61 example were to come available it would bring in the $22,500-25,000 range, and just one has been sold since 2004.

Here is an important opportunity for the advanced Dahlonega half eagle specialist to acquire a premium example of this overlooked issue.

DWN collects sales tax when appropriate.