CHOICE ORIGINAL PCGS/CAC AU55 1851-D $5, ex Fairmont

This underappreciated issue is ranked as the sixth scarcest of 26 Dahlonega half eagles and the seventh scarcest in high grades. There are very few known in the mid-to-high AU range that are choice and original, and the present example ranks as among the finest I have ever seen in AU55.

This piece shows very little actual wear and both sides have toned to an even rich olive-gold hue. Other than a few small ticks in the obverse field, the surfaces are outstanding. The mintmark is boldly punched and this makes the present coin especially desirable as there are a number of 1851-D half eagles with faint mintmarks.

APR comparables include the following:

• Stack’s Bowers 2024 ANA: 5706 at $7,500

• Stack’s Bowers 2022 ANA: 3052 at $7,200

• Stack’s Bowers 6/2020: 1235 at $9,300

Ex Heritage 5/2025: 4135 ($8,400), Stack’s Bowers 4/2022: 5060 ($10,800), Fairmont Hoard.

CAC has approved 10 in this grade with five finer.

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