RARE 1843-D SMALL MINTMARK HALF EAGLE IN PCGS MS61; CAC APPROVED

Variety 9-F. Small D as on the 1842-D Small Date half eagle. A rare variety. (Designated by PCGS).

Varieties of 1843-D are known with a small mintmark and a large mintmark. The former is considerably scarcer and it is very rare in Uncirculated with just two or three known. As a date, the 1843-D half eagle is readily available in circulated grades through AU55, but it is very scarce in Uncirculated and very rare above MS61 to MS62.

This sharply struck example clearly shows die rust on the obverse as on all known 1843-D half eagles. It is sharply detailed and brightly lustrous with pale green-gold hues on both sides. There are a few hairlines and some scuffs in the lower right obverse field but to my eyes, this is a properly graded and cosmetically appealing coin.

Another PCGS/CAC 1843-D Small D half eagle graded MS61 sold for $10,925 as Heritage 4/2010: 2257.

This is an important coin from two perspectives: as one of the finest known examples of this variety and as a nice, CAC approved Uncirculated “common date” Dahlonega half eagle.

This is the only 1843-D Small D half eagle to be approved by CAC in any Uncirculated grade. For the date, CAC has approved two in MS61 with just one finer (MS63).

From the Indian Rocks Beach Collection

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