1861-C $5.00 NGC EF40

For a number of reasons, the 1861-C is the most interesting half eagle struck at the Charlotte mint. It is the final issue from this facility with a small production of just 6,879 coins. But it is the fact that at least 887 were made after employees signed a Loyalty Oath to the Confederacy that makes it so intriguing. Unfortunately, there is an absolute way by which to determine which coins were made by the rebel minters. As a date, the 1861-C used to be held in nearly as high regard as the 1861-D half eagle but that issue now sells for a three to five time premium in EF and AU grades, I think the 1861-C is now hugely undervalued given its story and its scarcity. The example I am offering here is pleasing for the grade with natural russet shadings on the obverse and reverse. The surfaces are a bit "ticky" but these marks are common for the issue and are actually less detracting than is usual. I personally like this coin more than the NGC EF45 that Heritage just sold as Lot 5029 in their June auction for $7,188. It is interesting to note that only two EF40's have sold at auction since 1996 and the last, ANR 3/05: 704, brought $6,900.

1845-D $5.00 NGC AU58 CAC

A very attractive slider example with pleasing even medium reddish-gold colors on the obverse and the reverse. This tends to be a well-made issue and this coin is no exception with a very strong strike at the centers and borders. The surfaces are clean with just a few marks in back of the neck visible to the naked eye and the amount of actual wear is minimal. The 1845-D is one of the more available Dahlonega half eagles but choice, original AU58 pieces such as the present example are very scarce and I think they are good value when compared to the common dates from the 1852-1854 era. In Uncirculated, this date sells for $10,000 and up which makes a nice AU58 a very good value, in my opinion. This is a great type coin for the collector who would like to own a single choice Dahlonega half eagle.

1877-CC $10.00 PCGS EF45

The 1877-CC is almost as rare as the more highly-touted 1878-CC eagle and it is actually not all that far behind the 1879-CC. I believe that the total known is in the range of 50-60 coins and many of these are in lower grades. The present example is among the more original 1877-CC eagles that I have seen and it is uncommonly choice for the grade with nice color and enough remaining luster to make a strong claim for the AU50 level. A few ticks can be seen in the fields but none are detracting and the overall level of eye appeal is extremely high. I have long believed that this date is highly undervalued and touted it as such as far back as the late 1980's when I wrote the first edition of my book on Carson City gold. In the recent June Long Beach sale, Heritage sold a PCGS Fine-15 example of this date (I graded it VF25) for an amazing $6,325. It hardly seems right that a Choice EF should be worth less than twice as much but that's the current pricing status of the 1877-CC eagle.

CAC has approved two examples of this date in EF45 and none finer. Only two have been approved for the entire issue.

1852-C $5.00 NGC AU53

Well detailed and very richly toned with russet-gold hues that turn iridescent as they are tilted towards a light source. This coin doesn't quite have what I would describe as "leather pouch" color but the aforementioned hues are really vibrant and this is a neat-looking example of an otherwise-common date. A mark in the left obverse field can be seen with the naked eye and a small cut below AT in STATES is seen on the reverse.

1857-D $5.00 NGC MS61

The 1857-D is among the rarer late date Dahlonega half eagles in higher grades and I regard it as one of the most overlooked dates from this mint. It is usually seen well worn and in Uncirculated there are probably fewer than ten known with nearly all in the MS60 to MS61 range. This choice, fresh example is better struck than usual for the issue with good central detail framed by the typical beveled edges. The surfaces are a bit grainy in texture as is seen on most 1857-D half eagles but they have a nice orange-gold hue and they show a good amount of cartwheel. The last MS61 1857-D half eagle to sell was Goldberg 2/06: 1158 (slabbed by NGC) that sold for $11,500. In the Heritage 1/12 auction, a PCGS MS62 (ex Bass II) sold for a strong $21,850. An important coin for the advanced Dahlonega collector.

1861-S $2.50 PCGS AU58 CAC

Unlike its quarter eagle counterpart from Philadelphia, this Civil War issue has a low original mintage and a small survival rate. Only 24,000 were struck and most of the remaining pieces show considerable wear from heavy use in local commerce. This date is quite rare in properly graded AU58 and it is extremely rare in Mint State with no more than three or four known. This is a pleasing "slider" with nearly full luster seen below rich rose and orange hues which are deeper on the reverse than on the obverse. The strike is sharp with nearly full leg feathers on the eagle and only a few small ticks in the fields can be seen with the naked eye. The last PCGS AU58 1861-S quarter eagle to sell at auction was Heritage 11/03: 7235 that sold for $4,830 nearly a decade ago. Since 1999, there have been only seven APR's for AU58's of this date. After years of neglect, coins such as this are finally getting the acclaim they deserve but I feel they are still undervalued.

This is currently the only 1861-S quarter eagle in any grade to have been approved by CAC.

1857-O $2.50 PCGS AU58 CAC

This numismatically significant date (it is the final quarter eagle made at the New Orleans mint) is more available now than a few decades ago due to some small hoards. However, really nice AU58 and better examples are still scarce and this gem slider is among the finest AU58 1857-O quarter eagles that I've seen with lovely lemon-gold color, choice surfaces and a razor-sharp strike. If you saw this coin out of its PCGS holder, you'd have no trouble grading it MS61and I have seen many examples of this date in 61 holders that couldn't hold a candle to this wonderful piece. And at half the price of a mediocre MS61...well, it's a great value as well.

CAC has approved six in this grade with four finer. A total of seventeen 1857-O quarter eagles have been approved by CAC.

1851-D $5.00 PCGS F15 CAC

I'm not certain that this matters on a coin of this caliber but it appears to be very undergraded to me and I think its closer to VF25 (or even a bit better) in terms of sharpness. Original as all get-out, this coin has plenty of dirt caked in the protected areas and nice deep color on both sides. And its a slightly better date as well. A perfect inexpensive Dahlonega half eagle for the beginning collector.

1858-S $20.00 NGC AU58

This straight-from-Europe 1858-S is one of the nicer examples of this date that I have handled and I have owned some gorgeous 1858-S double eagles in the last few years. This is a "gem slider" with great surfaces and very attractive deep color but without the extensive marks typical to the issue. There is some dirt in the protected areas and a small obverse grease stain (as made) can be seen on Liberty's jawline. This is a very scarce date in properly graded AU58 and MS60 Trends jumps to $10,500. If you can find an MS61, you will pay at least $12,000-14,000 and, in all likelihood, it won't be as attractive as this coin. I love the value that choice AU58 Type One double eagles present and coins like this seem like a really good deal to me.