1842-C Large Date $5.00 NGC AU53

Large Date variety. This is the more available of the two varieties of half eagle made at the Charlotte mint in 1842. The 1842-C Large Date is reasonably available in all grades but it is fairly hard to find an attractive piece with nice surfaces and eye appeal in "collector grades." This example has a good deal of luster and nice light to medium yellow-gold color. There are just enough small abrasions on the surfaces to limit the grade to AU53 but the "body" is suggestive of at least two points higher and I have seen a number of inferior Charlotte half eagles from this era in AU55 and even AU58 holders. This coin represents good value for less than $4,000 and it would make a nice introductory coin for the collector looking to get into the area of branch mint half eagles.

1842-C Large Date $5.00 PCGS MS61 CAC

Large Date variety. The 1842-C half eagles is known with a Large Date and Small Date variety. The former is more available and this adds date pressure as many collectors of high grade Charlotte fives do not want to spend $100k or more on an Uncirculated Small Date. The 1842-C Large Date is rare in Uncirculated with an estimated dozen or so known, including at least three or four coins in the MS64 to MS65 range. This semi-prooflike example has uncommonly good eye appeal for the grade with light yellow-gold centers framed by rich orange-gold at the borders. The strike is quite sharp for the variety and there are just a few marks seen on the obverse, noticeably clustered on the lower portion of the cheek. This coin has a freshness about it that you do not see on many high grade Charlotte half eagles any more and it would be a great coin for the collector who wants a single choice early date issue for a type set.