RARE 1818 STATESOF HALF EAGLE, PCGS MS62

BD-2, R-4.

1818 is a very interesting year for half eagles with three important varieties known: the Normal Date, the STATESOF variety, and the 5D variety. The STATESOF variety is the most available of these but it is still a rare issue with an estimated 100-125 known. There are a few dozen known in Uncirculated with the majority in the MS60 to MS62 range. This variety is rare in properly graded MS63 to MS64, and the undisputed finest known is the PCGS MS66 Pogue coin which brought $211,500 in February 2016.

This piece exhibits lovely rich yellow-gold color and has excellent luster. As with all known examples, the strike is a bit flat on the obverse but it is sharper on the reverse. There are a number of small shallow marks on the obverse which are likely from this coin having been shipped loose in a bag many years ago, but it is fully lustrous and I think the grade is spot-on.

There have been just three auction records for this issue since the Summer of 2010, and the most recent APR is Heritage 2019 ANA: 3870 at $24,000.

This piece just misses qualifying for the tail end of the Condition Census for the variety, and it would make an excellent type coin for the collector who wants a special date in the Capped Head Left series.

FROM THE HOUSTON COLLECTION

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