1802/1 $5.00 PCGS AU53 CAC

BD-1. High R-4. Centered overdate variety. This is clearly an above-average example for the grade with nice green-gold color which is accentuated by some flashes of medium orange-gold and reddish hues at the obverse border and across much of the reverse. There is some light friction on the obverse but not much in the way of actual wear; the reverse on its own grades a full AU58 and is very choice. This piece is well struck and well made with nice balance and choice surfaces. This issue has always been a favorite with collectors as it has such a bold, clear overdate. A welcome exception to the rule that early gold in this price range is never original and attractive.

1802/1 $2.50 NGC AU53

BD-3. R-5. This variety is easily identifiable by the presence of noticeable repunching on star one on the reverse. This piece was recently purchased "over the counter" by one of my suppliers on the East Coast and from its appearance, I have to guess that it is a coin that was either in an old-time collection or accumulation for many, many years. It has an especially original appearance with even, dark rich green-gold color that is accentuated by some pale coppery hues around the devices. There is a good deal of dirt in the protected areas and this is always an unusual (and welcome) occurance on an early gold coin, especially one that is nearly 210 years old. The strike is typically weak at the very center of the obverse and reverse while the borders are sharp. Under magnification, there are some very light vertical obverse adjustment marks through the portrait and a few light, old marks in the fields. In the just-concluded Stack's Bowers November sale, another NGC AU53 example of this date (with a CAC sticker) sold for $18,400. A wonderful Draped Bust, Stars Obverse quarter eagle for the type collector.

1858-D $1.00 PCGS MS61 CAC

It is hard to state this with certainty due to the position of the coin in the holder, but this piece looks to be a bit off center with a prominent border at the lower obverse and the corresponding reverse; if this is the case it is something that I have not seen before on any 1858-D dollar. I purchased this coin from a very savvy wholesale dealer at the Baltimore show who tried submitting it a number of times to PCGS for an MS62 grade. It is not hard to see why as it is sharp and vibrant with great luster and pleasing pale rose color. The 1858-D is the second most available Type Three gold dollar from this mint in higher grades (after the 1859-D) which makes it a good date for type purposes. There are probably around twenty or so known in Uncirculated with nearly all of these in the MS60 to MS62 range. This is the only 1858-D in MS61 that has been approved by CAC; only one finer Uncirculated coin has been approved as well.

1859-C $1.00 PCGS AU53 CAC

The 1859-C is the rarest Type Three gold dollar from Charlotte (and among the rarest dollars from this mint) but it is actually less rare than the 1857-C in higher grades. Like the 1857-C, the 1859-C has a very distinctive appearance due to its method of manufacture. This piece is actually very well produced for the issue with a nice planchet that is less defective than usual. The strike is sharp with a full date and much bolder denticles than usual. Unlike nearly every 1859-C dollar that I've seen in the last few years, this piece hasn't been processed and it shows very nice original green-gold color. A small shallow planchet defect, as made, rests on the rear of Liberty's throat. You could look for years and not find a more attractive circulated 1859-C dollar than this. CAC has approved just two examples of this date in AU53 and none finer than this.

1851-D $5.00 NGC VF35

The 1851-D is one of the half dozen scarcest half eagles from this mint and it is far harder to find in all grades than such better known (and more expensive) issues as the 1838-D, 1839-D, 1846-D/D and 1860-D. This example is completely original and is just on the cusp of being a full EF40 coin. It shows deep, natural color on both sides and has good overall detail for the date and grade.

1847-D $5.00 NGC AU58

The 1847-D is sort of a "secret date" as far as knowledgeable Dahlonega half eagle collectors go. It is generally lumped with such common issues as the 1849-D, 1852-D, 1853-D and 1854-D but it is many times scarcer, especially in higher grades. As with the quarter eagle of this date, when the 1847-D half eagle is found nice, it tends to have some of the nicest color of any Dahlonega half eagle. And this example has, in my opinion, especially nice color. The obverse and the reverse are both toned in lovely deep green-gold hues with fiery orange-gold highlights which become quite dramatic as the coin is tilted towards a light source. The strike is as sharp as one is likely to find on a Dahlonega gold coin of any date and the surfaces show an acceptable number of abrasions for the grade. One abrasion is worthy of mention: a small reeding mark (from contact with another coin) in the right obverse field near star eleven.

1839-C $5.00 PCGS AU55 CAC

After many years of neglect, both the 1839-C and 1839-D half eagles have gained respect as one-year types. The 1839-C has become highly sought-after not only by collectors of Charlotte gold and half eagles specialists but by collectors looking for neat, "significant" coins. The present example is the second high grade 1839-C half eagle that I have been fortunate to handle in the last three months (after many years of going without one) and it is among the nicest circulated 1839-C half eagles that I can recall having seen. To the naked eye, this coin has the look of an MS61 due to its thick, satiny luster and lovely natural yellowish-gold and orange hues. It is remarkably well struck with great detail on the obverse and the reverse and the surfaces are very clean with just a few microscopic ticks visible below magnification. If you can find an Uncirculated 1839-C half eagle it is likely to cost more than double the amount of this lustrous, nearly Mint State piece. A great addition to a collection that is focused on coins with character. This is currently the only 1839-C half eagle graded AU55 that has been approved by CAC.

In Heritage's 8/11 auction, a non-CAC 1839-C half eagle in PCGS AU55 realized $9,775.

1875 $2.50 NGC PR65 UCAM

One of only 20 Proofs struck. Unlike the other low mintage Proof quarter eagles of this era, the 1875 is a rarity in business strike format as well with a mintage of just 400. In Proof, there are an estimated dozen or so 1875 quarter eagles of which maybe four or five Gems are known. The present example has the strongest cameo contrast that I have seen on a Proof of this date and it certainly deserves to have received the Ultra Cameo modifier. It has extremely stark black and white contrast between the devices and the fields and the visual impact is really quite stunning. There are no significant hairlines or lintmarks; a small spot on the obverse serves as quick identification. In Heritage's January 2011 sale of the Miller Collection, there were two Proofs of this date that were graded many years ago as PR64 by NGC but both seemingly were destined to upgrade to PR65 by today's standards; they realized $46,000 and $47,294, respectively. This is one of just two graded PR65 Ultra Cameo by NGC and it is amongst the finest known examples of one of the the rarest single dates in the Liberty Head quarter eagle series. Many people do not realize this, but a Gem Proof 1875 quarter eagle is rarer than the legendary Three Dollar gold piece of this date and the latter is a $250,000+ coin in Gem Proof.

Ex Heritage 9/08: 3351 where it sold for $48,875

1845-O $5.00 NGC AU55

Struck in light green-gold and a boldly impressed, minimally worn example with lots of "meat" left on the surfaces. There are a few marks seen on the surfaces but none are detracting or out of keeping with the assigned grade. I have long felt that this was an undervalued date in nearly any grade and I think that AU55 is a "sweet spot" for the issue. I recently sold an EF 45 example of the 1845-O for $1,650 and it seems to me that a nice AU55 at just a little bit more than double that amount makes no sense from a value stand point. In AU55, the far more common 1845-D half eagle trades for more than the 1845-O and I'm not sure that this makes sense from a value standpoint either. Have you been looking for a nice No Motto half eagle from this mint? Perhaps this coin is the right one for you!