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.

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.

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.

1814/3 $5.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

BD-1, High R-4. This second year of issue Capped Head Left emission is sometimes lumped with the common 1813 but it is many times rarer. An estimated 100 or so exist and this issue is seen most often in the AU50-MS60 range. In properly graded MS62, it is quite rare and the availability of examples of this quality is typically limited to major auctions. This coin has a very choice obverse with the appearance of a full MS63; a few scattered marks at the upper reverse preclude a higher grade. The color is a rich lemon-yellow hue (which is "right" for the issue) and the luster is characteristic of uncleaned 1814/3 half eagles (and there aren't many left...) with a hybrid satiny/frosty texture. The last PCGS MS62CAC example to sell at auction was Heritage 10/11: 4876 (at $25,300) and that coin, while attractive, had a prominent line of Liberty's face. A great type coin for the advanced collector.

CAC has approved four in this grade with three better.

1881-CC $5.00 PCGS EF45 CAC

The 1881-CC is, by a large margin, the rarest Carson City half eagle produced after 1878. There were only 13,886 struck and this issue saw extensive local use in commerce, meaning that survivors tend to be both well-worn. This Choice EF example has great eye appeal for the date and grade with nice medium orange-gold color over clean, vibrant surfaces. There have been no PCGS EF45 examples sold at auction since the Goldberg 6/04: 2512 (that's eight years if you are keeping score at home...) and I think the 1881-CC remains a very undervalued issue in the Carson City half eagle series.

CAC has approved just this one example in EF45 with five better.

1847-C $5.00 PCGS EF40

This coin is so crusty that if it were raw, I would handle it only with rubber gloves...it's that dirty! There is dirt, in fact, all over the obverse and reverse recesses and this nicely contrasts with the deep, natural green-gold color. You can spend around two thousand dollars on a processed EF40 with no character or you can pay a few hundred dollars more and own a piece that is unmolested and as nasty as all get out...your choice.

1798 Large 8, 13 Stars Reverse $5.00 PCGS EF45

BD-5, High Rarity-5. Die State C with a massive terminal crack on the obverse that starts at the rim above star seven, runs through the entire length of the portrait and through the 8 in the date and ends at the rim at 5:00. The 1798 is the most affordable half eagle from the 18th century and this makes it extremely popular with collectors. There are a host of varieties and it is among the most fascinating early gold issues in my opinion. This is an extremely choice example for the grade with good detail and attractive rich reddish color on the obverse and reverse. The central reverse is weak as always seen on the late die state of this variety; when you look at how massive the aforementioned obverse crack is, you will understand why there is not much detail at the central reverse. I think PCGS was spot-on in assigning this coin an EF45 grade but it is much nicer than most 1798 half eagles in 45 holders. The last APR for a PCGS EF45 was in Heritage 2004 ANA sale and the last I saw, in the inventory of a knowledgeable Southern dealer, was not as nice and priced to me at $13,500. Coins like this are in great demand and once this is sold, who knows when another will become available?