1855-D Large D $5.00 PCGS EF40

Variety 38-EE. Large D mintmark. There are two mintmark varieties known for the date. The Large D is considerably scarcer although it generally doesn't bring a big premium. As a date, the 1855-D is the third rarest Dahlonega half eagle, trailing only the 1861-D and the 1842-D Large Date. It is greatly undervalued in all grades and it is amazing that it sells for just a small premium over common issues such as the 1853-D and 1854-D. This example is weakly struck at the centers and shows light orange-gold surfaces with a hint of luster in the protected areas. If you collect Dahlonega half eagles by date or variety, you will recognize the importance of this offering.

1854-C $2.50 PCGS EF40 CAC

Attractive deep orange-gold color is contrasted by russet highlights on the portrait. This coin has the body of an EF45 to AU50 but it has been conservatively graded by PCGS on account of a weak strike on the reverse; curiously, the obverse is better detailed than usual for the date. The 1854-C is scarce in all grades with a mintage of just 7,295. I think this coin is an amazing value as a comparable 1847-C or 1858-C (dates that are three times more available in all grades) would sell for just a few hundred dollars less.

This is the only example of this date approved by CAC in this grade; six finer have been approved as well.

1847-C $2.50 PCGS EF40 CAC

The 1847-C is to Charlotte quarter eagles as the 1881-S is to Morgan dollars: an issue that is plentiful and well made. But unlike the San Francisco cartwheel, the 1847-C is not easy to find with great eye appeal. And this choice, totally original example is one of the more pleasing affordable Charlotte quarter eagles of any date that you are likely to find. It shows deep green-gold hues on both sides and there is a ton of dirt in the protected areas as you would expect on a coin of this era with original surfaces. Other than a few minor ticks on the obverse, there is essentially nothing "wrong" with this coin and I strongly recommend it to the beginning collector of Charlotte gold or branch mint gold in general.

1841-O $10.00 PCGS EF40

The 1841-O eagle is a significant issue for a variety of reasons. It is the first year of issue for New Orleans eagles and it has a tiny original mintage of just 2,500. It is the second rarest No Motto eagle from this mint in terms of overall rarity after the 1859-O but it is the rarest from the standpoint of high grade availability. It is unknown in Mint State and extremely rare in properly graded AU with less than ten known. While it is available from time to time in EF grades, most of these coins are dipped and very abraded with little or no eye appeal. This example has a great natural appearance with deep, even green-gold color. It shows very clean surfaces with fewer marks than normal and the strike is above average as well with good detail at the centers. In the recently-concluded Stack's Bowers 2012 ANA sale, a PCGS EF45 example of this date sold for $16,450 and I don't think it was significantly finer than the EF40 I am offering here for significantly less money. While prices have risen on this issue in the last few years, I think it is still very undervalued and I would buy an 1841-O sooner than later if you need one for your New Orleans eagle set.

1807 $2.50 PCGS EF40

BD-1, R-3. The Draped Bust Right variety of quarter eagle was produced from 1796 through 1807 and it is noted for being amongst the rarest of all early gold issues. The 1807 is by far the most available date of the type but even this issue is not easily found and when available, examples tend to be in the AU and lower Uncirculated grades. There is a high amount of demand for affordable middle grade quarter eagles of this design but they are seldom available as this issue just didn't circulate to wear down to the VF-EF grades. There has been just one PCGS EF40 example of the 1807 sold at auction since 2004 and this was recent (Heritage 9/11: 4201 at $13,800). The present coin is problem-free and while it shows wear, this is even and gentle. In fact, the surfaces of this coin are cleaner than usual for the type and date with nice medium green-gold and orange colors, in slightly different hues, seen on the obverse and reverse. I have handled a few reasonably priced 1807 quarter eagles this year and all of them have sold quickly.

1850-D $2.50 PCGS EF40 CAC

A beautiful, wholly original example of this scarcer issue with lovely deep green-gold color on the obverse and the reverse. I grade this coin at least EF45 if not finer but there is a small, old reverse scrape below the right foot of the A in STATES that can be seen with careful examination. The mintage for this issue was 12,148 but the survival rate is low and of the few hundred that exist, only a handful display the originality that this coin has in spades. The PCGS and NGC population figures for the 1850-D do not reflect the true rarity of the 1850-D quarter eagle with total originality; I doubt if more than a dozen comparable pieces are known.

CAC has approved just this one example in EF45 with eleven approved in grades higher than this.

From the RYK Collection.

1850 $20.00 PCGS EF40 CAC

An uncommonly clean example of this popular first-year issue with just a few small marks seen in the fields. Light grteen with some slightly deeper contrasting hues seen on the high spots of the obverse and the reverse. Clearly, a high end coin for the grade and always in demand.

CAC has approved five in this grade and forty-one finer.

From the RYK Collection.

1865 $20.00 NGC EF40 CAC Gold Sticker

Housed in an NGC third generation holder (used in the late 1980's) and awarded a gold sticker by CAC. By today's standards, I believe that this coin grades AU50 or a bit better. There is some "freckled" coppery color in the lower obverse fields while there is a large amount of copper seen at the central reverse. Most gold coins with this degree of spotting have had these removed but old-time collectors appreciate the character that this gives to a coin. An interesting example of this popular Civil War issue.

This is the only 1865 double eagle in this grade that has been approved by CAC; thirty-five finer pieces have been approved as well.

1864-S $20.00 PCGS EF40 CAC OGH

Old Green Holder. I grade this coin a solid EF45 by today's standards. A handsome "Euro" example with deep green-gold color accentuated by darker highlights on the obverse and reverse. The surfaces are extremely clean. A nice example of this popular Civil War issue.

CAC has approved just this one coin in EF40 with seventeen in higher grades.