1846-D/D $5.00 NGC EF45

Incorrectly labelled on the holder as an "1846-D" by NGC; it is clearly an 1846-D/D. A pleasing coin for the grade with medium to deep reddish-gold color on the obverse and reverse. There are two small toning spots in the upper left obverse field and a small reverse rim bump at 4:00 that is easy to overlook. This is one of my favorite branch mint varieties and the overmintmark is so bold that it can be easily seen with the naked eye.

1799 Large Reverse Stars $5.00 NGC MS61

Large Reverse Stars. BD-8, Rarity-6. Dannreuther estimates that just 22 to 30 are known. Extremely late die state with extensive reverse cracks that are more developed than those described by Bass. This is both an interesting and very rare early half eagle. The obverse is a light green-gold and shows some roughness in the planchet as made; the reverse is more vibrant and yellow-gold in hue. As mentioned, the obverse fields have some roughness (reminiscent of a 1796 eagle) in the planchet and there is a shallow void as made on the face; the reverse is superb and would grade MS63 or better on its own. The 1799 Large Stars is a rare coin in all grades with probably fewer than 75-85 known. In higher grades, it is very rare and it is a solid R-7 in Uncirculated. Only three auction records exist for MS61's since 1979 and all are NGC coins; the latest is Heritage 9/08: 3577 at a strong $40,250. If you are a serious collector of early U.S. gold, you are aware of the significance of this offering.

1799 Small Reverse Stars $5.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

Small Reverse Stars. BD-2, High Rarity-5. Dannreuther estimates that only 35-435 examples are known of this variety; Bass owned just one which was not as nice as this example. There were a good number of early half eagles available at the ANA show but this was one of my very favorites; at least from the standpoint of its 18th century issuance. This coin is as fresh as you can imagine with vibrant frosty luster and lovely natural yellow-gold color. It is extremely well struck for both the date and variety with great eye appeal. The surfaces show just a few light marks and, interestingly, the obverse is actually choicer than the reverse with the look of an MS63. As a date, the 1799 is scarcer than the 1798 and it is actually less available (albeit less popular) than the higher-priced 1795. The last PCGS MS62 1799 Small Stars half eagle to appear at auction was B+M 11/09: 3667 which sold for $43,700. In my opinion, this example is choicer and much more "crisp" in appearance. Here's an interesting point to consider. A nice PCGS MS62 1795 Small Eagle half eagle is worth around $100,000 in today's market. PCGS has graded twenty two examples in this grade with fifteen better. A 1799 Small Stars has a population of eleven in this grade with ten better but it is priced at less than half the amount of the 1795. Clearly the 1795 should be worth more but twice as much? A great early half eagle.

1892-CC $20.00 NGC AU58

This choice slider example is nearly free of wear but there is just a slight amount of friction on the high spots of the obverse. Both sides are free of significant marks and there is some nice light rose color. I saw two MS60 examples of this date trade at ANA for around $8,000 each and both were heavily abraded.

1884-CC $5.00 PCGS AU50

There are just five half eagles from this decade made at the Carson City mint. The 1880-CC and 1882-CC are common while the 1883-CC and 1884-CC are moderately scarce and the 1881-CC is very scarce to rare. The 1884-CC is a real rarity in Uncirculated and for most collectors a nice AU is about as choice as they can wish for. Many 1884-CC half eagles graded AU50 to AU55 are bright and unoriginal and this is one of the few "ultra-dirty" examples that I have seen. It was recently found in Europe and graded by PCGS at their Paris office. The surfaces show deep green-gold color that is accentuated by underlying rose and orange-gold hues. There have been no auction records for this date in PCGS AU50 since September 2008 and only five total since 2000. A special coin for the sophisticated Carson City collector.

1860-C $5.00 NGC AU55

This is exactly the sort of coin that, so many times in the past, has been scrubbed and reholdered by the grading services as an AU58. To my eyes, it is far more attractive (and valuable) as a "virgin" 55. As always, this piece must be graded only by the obverse as the reverse is weak and fuzzy due to improper planchet preparation. Both sides show very appealing medium to deep green-gold color and there is ample dirt in the recesses on both sides. A thin mint-made defect in the left obverse field runs from the denticles between stars one and two towards the chin and is diagnostic to the issue. The 1860-C half eagle is genuinely scarce in properly graded AU55 to AU58 and very rare in Uncirculated. This example is perfect for the date collector but would make a nice type coin as well.

1853-D Large D $5.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

I searched long and hard for nice Dahlonega half eagles at the recent ANA show and there were next to none available. This tells me that these coins are currently very popular and the collectors who have been buying them over the years have no intention of selling them anytime soon. The present example is solid for the grade with nice surfaces and pleasing rich green-gold color. There is some dirt caked into the recesses of the stars and through the lettering on much of the reverse. This coin would be perfect for the type collector as it is well-made and very affordable.

1861 $3.00 NGC MS62

Of the 5,959 business strikes produced, it is likely that most were melted and the 1861 is a popular Civil war issue that is scarce in all grades. The typical example is found in circulated grades and is characterized by heavy mint-made striations. The slightly prooflike example has the naked-eye appearance of a Choice Uncirculated and has just a few wispy hairlines on the obverse. Both sides show attractive light green-gold and rosy orange hues and there are no marks of note. In the last decade, fewer than ten examples have appeared at auction in MS62 and this date becomes rare and expensive in MS63 and above. This would be a great time to put together a nice set of Civil War three dollar gold pieces as the coins are available from time to time and seem reasonably priced compared to other denominations of this era.

1871 $2.50 PCGS MS63

As with most of the Reconstruction Era quarter eagles, the 1871 is a forgotten rarity that is typically seen in circulated grades. Only 5,350 were produced of which a few hundred are known. I believe that around 15 or so are known in Uncirculated (maybe less) and most are in the MS60 to MS62 range. This choice example has a fresh, vibrant appearance with great rose and orange-gold color. There are a few light scuffs in the fields and a faint reverse grease stain above and behind the head of the eagle. In the February Heritage Long Beach sale a comparable example (graded MS63 by NGC) brought $4,830. Coins like this seem like great value to me.