1842-O $5.00 PCGS VF35 CAC

If there was such a grade as "VF39" this coin would qualify as such. It clearly isn't your typical VF35 but it falls just a hairsbreadth shy of qualifying as a real EF. The surfaces show attractive deep, rich green-gold color with some reddish areas at the obverse periphery. The detail is good for the date and grade with less weakness of strike at the centers than usual. There are scattered small abrasions that are consistent with the grade. The 1842-O is the second rarest half eagle from New Orleans and it is highly undervalued in all grades. This is the sort of coin that, if you saw in an auction or a dealer's case at a show, you'd go "wow, that's cool." And it is a truly interesting piece: a very rare and totally problem-free example that is within the budget of nearly any rare date gold collector.

This is one of only two 1842-O half eagles in any grade that have received approval from CAC. The other is an NGC AU58 from the Logan's Landing collection that I sold earlier this year.