1851-D $5.00 PCGS AU53 CAC

Sharp Mintmark variety. The 1851-D is one of the rarer half eagles from this mint in terms of overall and high grade rarity. It is almost never seen in AU grades with a sharp mintmark and I doubt if more than ten are known that have natural color and surfaces. In fact, the last PCGS AU53 with a strong mintmark to be offered for sale was Bass III: 434 which brought $3,680 all the way back in May 2000. This piece has lovely deep natural green gold color with some dirt visible in the protected areas of the lettering. As with all known examples of this die pair (Variety 25-Q) there is weakness noted at the centers. This is the first really nice example of this date that I have seen or sold in many years and I regard it is being highly undervalued. This is the only AU53 1851-D half eagle to have received CAC approval and only one finer example of this date has been stickered by this service.