1843-D Large D $2.50 NGC MS61+

Large D Mintmark. Variety 4-H. In October 1843, a total of 3,537 1843-D quarter eagles were produced using a Large Mintmark reverse that was also used again in 1844 and 1846. This variety is significant as it is clearly visible with the naked eye and it is recognized by PCGS. There are exactly two pieces known in Uncirculated: the current example (see below for a full pedigree) and the Bass II: 349 coin (once graded MS61 by PCGS and seemingly later upgraded to MS62 at NGC) that brought $10,350 back in October 1999 as an AU58. The present example is the finest known, in my opinion, with superb deep natural yellow-gold color on both sides. The strike is nearly totally full and the surfaces are very clean; a small spot betwen the final two stars on the obverse is mentioned for accuracy. As a date, the 1843-D is the most common quarter eagle from this mint but it is actually very rare in Uncirculated with fewer than ten properly graded pieces known. This would be one of the better examples of this date even if it weren't the rare Large D mintmark. An important coin for the advanced dahlonega specialist.

From the Duke's Creek collection and last sold by Heritage as Lot 1499 in their April 2006 where it brought $12,075 as an NGC MS61.

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.

1844 $5.00 NGC MS61 CAC

While very common in all circulated grades, the 1844 half eagle is scarce in Uncirculated and it is nearly never seen above MS62. This example is choice and frosty with lovely natural medium to deep green-gold color on the obverse and reverse. The strike is excellent and the surfaces are choice save for a few small marks scattered about the surfaces. Only four PCGS MS61 examples of this date have sold at auction since 2000. I believe that nice No Motto half eagles of this sort remain exceptional values.

This is the only 1844 half eagle in this grade to have been approved by CAC and only one higher grade piece has been approved. The CAC population for this date is just two coins.

1851 $5.00 PCGS MS61

This is one of the mostly wildly toned Liberty Head gold coins that I've seen in a long time. My guess is that this piece was in a leather pouch for many years and the obverse and reverse have vivid coppery and purple-gold hues that are well-contrasted by the underlying green-gold hues. I am not charging much of a premium for this color (I recently sold a CAC/PCGS 1851 half eagle for a hundred bucks less) but I have the feeling that if this were a common date Morgan dollar with this degree of color it would bring an enormous premium.

1891-CC $10.00 NGC MS61

Fresh from Europe and beautifully toned with deep yellow-gold that shades to pale orange in the fields and is contrasted by deeper highlights. Very high end for the grade with just a few light ticks at the central obverse keeping this from grading at least a point higher. The best available quality for a CC eagle at less than $2,000.

1856 $5.00 PCGS MS61 CAC

While very common in all circulated grades, the 1856 half eagle is not at all common in Uncirculated and nearly impossible above the MS62 to MS63 level. This lovely, fresh example has great eye appeal for the grade and looks more like a coin in an MS62 holder. The surfaces are very clean and show attractive golden-orange color. This piece has never been dipped or brightened and this can be established by the fact that there is a natural copper spot on the reverse at the first T in STATES. What appears to be a scratch on the cheek of Liberty is actually a mint-made raised die line that I have seen on a number of other examples of this date. Only three PCGS MS61's of this date have appeared at auction since May 2007. This is one of only two MS61 1856 half eagles approved by PCGS with one finer. A wonderful No Motto type coin.

1857-O $2.50 NGC MS61 CAC

This is a numismatically significant issue as it is the final quarter eagle made at the New Orleans mint. It is also scarce in properly graded Uncirculated, especially with natural color and surfaces. This very fresh example shows nice rich orange-gold color atop clean, frosty surfaces. A small speck of dirt at the LI in LIBERTY further attests to its originality and this is a premium coin for the date and grade.

1889 $10.00 PCGS MS61

Not many people are aware of this date's true scarcity but only 4,485 business strikes were made and until some AU55 to MS61 examples were located in Europe a few years ago, it was almost never seen above the AU50 level. This bright lustrous example is typical for the issue in that it has a number of abrasions on the surfaces; it seems that most of the survivors were shipped loose in bags to Europe and picked up some chatter on the way. There is no rub on the high spots and enough body remains to suggest a grade of at least a point higher. The last PCGS MS61 to appear at auction was Heritage 11/11: 4379 that sold for $6,038. That coin was just a bit nicer than the present example (and it had a CAC sticker) but this coin is priced at a more affordable level. A good value for the savvy collector of Liberty Head eagles

1881-CC $10.00 NGC MS61

Every Carson City eagle struck prior to 1890-CC is difficult to find in Uncirculated but the 1881-CC is the only issue that is sometimes seen in Uncirculated, albeit in grades from MS60 to MS62. This fresh-from-Europe example has superb deep natural color with even medium reddish-orange hues on the obverse; the reverse is similar but deeper with some natural grease stains around MERI in AMERICA. The underlying luster is frosty in texture with only a few scuffs in the upper left obverse field keeping this piece from strong consideration at the MS62 level. Only four examples have appeared at auction in this grade in the last four years and I have only handled a few examples finer than MS61 including the Eliasberg MS64 coin that is the single finest known. Of the few dozen 1881-CC eagles known in Uncirculated, few have the eye appeal that this coin and only a handful show this degree of originality. A great coin for the date collector or the type collector looking for a single better date Liberty Head eagle for his set dated prior to 1890.