1846-O $5.00 NGC AU50 CAC

This was a date that I used to see from time to time but, for some reason, the supply of decent 1846-O half eagles has dried up in recent years. I'm not sure if someone is hoarding these or if the popularity of New Orleans gold amongst collectors has dried-up the supply. The present example is the first 1846-O half eagle that I've offered in some time and it has nice medium orange-gold and greenish hues atop relatively choice surfaces. There have been just five APR's for 1846-O half eagles in AU50 in the last decade and the high water mark is $3,738 set by Heritage 1/06: 5159.

CAC has approved just this one 1846-O half eagle in AU50 with five finer.

1847 $5.00 NGC MS62

The 1847 is one of the more available No Motto half eagles in higher grades but it is not common in properly graded MS62 and even harder to find with the sort of "look" that this choice example shows. The surfaces are frosty and clean with lovely deep, rich green-gold color. There are a few light dirt spots clinging to the letters and one larger area of dirt (possibly a grease stain?) at the dead center of the obverse. This choice, sharply struck piece has clearly never been cleaned or dipped and it would make a perfect type example for the collector with sophisticated tastes but a somewhat limited budget.

1853-C $5.00 NGC AU50

This example has the exact look that I really like on a Southern branch mint coin: dark, deep russet and green-gold splashes with plenty of dirt seen in the protected areas. There isn't any luster to speak of but this is primarily on account on the depth of the color. There is a small hairline in the left obverse field and a tiny rim mark at 4:00 that appears to be of mint origin. Good value at less than $3,000.

1877-CC $5.00 NGC EF45

While not as rare and undervalued as its eagle counterpart, the 1877-CC half eagle is a scarce issue that is often overlooked when collectors discuss the tough CC dates from this decade. There were 8,680 struck and most of the surviving examples are well-worn. This piece is among the few that I have seen with natural color and surfaces. The obverse and reverse show rich medium russet color with some red and green undertones and darker hues towards the borders. The fields are unusually clean with no marks of note and the detail is better than expected with especially sharp feathers seen on the wingtips and legs. The last NGC EF45 example of this date to sell at auction was Heritage 4/12: 6621 which brought $5,175; the example I offer here is far more original and it shows much better overall eye appeal.

1894-O $5.00 PCGS MS61

This numismatically significant issue is one of only three With Motto half eagles from this mint and it is the final year of issue of this type from New Orleans. The 1894-O is scarce in the lower Uncirculated grades and it is seldom found above MS61. This lustrous example has typically abraded surfaces but nice luster and color with no signs of rub or friction on the high spots. PCGS has graded just seven finer than this and it has been some time since I've handled a significantly finer 1894-O half eagle.

1845-D $5.00 NGC MS63

In recent years, the number of really high grade (MS63 and above) Dahlonega half eagles that have been available to collectors of this series have been minimal, to say the least. This paucity of coins means that there are many type collectors waiting for a high grade coin such for their set. This lovely 1845-D has exquisite deep green-gold color which is illuminated by rich underlying frost. The obverse has a texture that is actually a bit semi-prooflike while the reverse is more normal for the issue with swirls of deep frosty texture. The strike is very sharp for the issue and this coin has the naked-eye appearance of a Gem. There is a very faint obverse planchet impurity that begins at the rim outside of the third star and it runs into the throat area. Other than this, the surfaces are very clean. As a date, the 1845-D is among the more available half eagles from this mint but it is rare in Uncirculated with around a dozen known. The finest is a PCGS MS65 that is ex Bass II: 948 (at $57,500) and Norweb I: 817 (where it broguht an amazing $66,000 in 1987!). There are a few other really nice pieces including the Duke's Creek coin, the Milas coin and the Green Pond coin, all of which grade MS63 to MS64. The present example is undoubtedly in the Condition Census for the issue and I think it is the single best Dahlonega half eagle of any date currently available to collectors.

1860 $5.00 NGC AU58 CAC

Most of the gold coinage dated 1860 from Philadelphia follows a similar pattern of rarity: it tends to be available in VF-EF grades but it is very scarce in properly graded AU58 and quite rare in Uncirculated. The half eagle of this year trails only the eagle as the rarest 1860-dated Philadelphia issue and it is quite underrated in AU58 as the current PCGS and NGC population figures suggest. This lightly circulated example shows good luster and a very sharp strike with full details seen at the centers. There are some scattered marks in the fields which is typical for the issue. For the money, this coin represents excellent value as do many of the No Motto half eagles from this mint.

CAC has approved two examples in this grade with none finer. A total of five have been approved for the date in all grades combined.

1850-D $5.00 PCGS EF40

The 1850-D is among the scarcer half eagles from this mint both in terms of overall and high grade rarity. It is one of the single hardest issues to find with good eye appeal due to poor quality of strike and most survivors having been cleaned. This example is fully original with deep orange-gold and green colors that change to purple as the coin is tilted towards the light. The mintmark is not as sharp as on other issues of this era but it is fully legible. A far above-average example of this challenging issue.

1839-D $5.00 PCGS AU55 CAC

Variety 1, mintmark above the 3 in the date. The popular one-year type 1839-D is, along with the 1838-D and the 1861-D, the only half eagle from this mint with multiple levels of demand. By this, I mean that it is sought not only by Dahlonega specialists but by gold type collectors (and collectors of "neat coins") as well. This has pushed values up considerably for this issue in the last five or so years but I believe that there is more than enough demand to justify these new levels; not to mention a very limited supply of examples in any grade. I just sold a lovely PCGS AU58 1839-D half eagle a few weeks back and had many inquiries about that coin; the present piece is just about as choice. It shows natural medium yellow and greenish-gold colors at the centers framed by bands of reddish-gold at the rims with this color a bit stronger on the reverse. There is a good deal of luster for the grade and the detail is mostly sharp with just a touch of softness seen on the hair above the ear on the obverse. The last PCGS AU55 to trade at auction was ex Heritage 4/11: 5385 which brought $13,225. In my opinion, the current example is more original and more appealing for the grade. An important coin which is destined to reside in a connoisseur's set of Dahlonega half eagles.

This is one of two AU55 examples approved by CAC with one better. A total of six have been approved by CAC for the date.