CAC APPROVED COLLECTOR GRADE 1838-D HALF EAGLE

Variety 1.

Due to its status as a first-year-of-issue and as a one-year type, the 1838-D is the most popular half eagle made by the Dahlonega mint. It is clearly not a rare issue in VF and EF grades, but most of the surviving coins in this range have poor eye appeal due to repeated cleanings and rough handling. Affordable but good looking pieces are very infrequently offered and when I am lucky enough to have one in stock, it always receives plenty of attention.

In my opinion, this piece is conservatively graded and PCGS has penalized it for its strike and not its actual wear. There is a good deal of luster seen in the protected areas and the surfaces lack the numerous marks seen on so many 1838-D half eagles. Perhaps the best feature about this coin is its nice medium reddish-gold color which is present on the obverse and the reverse. The overall level of eye appeal is far above-average for the issue and for the grade.

A single PCGS/CAC VF35 1838-D has sold at auction and it brought $8,000 in late 2021. In August 2022, a PCGS/CAC EF40 sold for $13,800 and in my opinion, the VF35 I am offering is nicer due its higher degree of originality.

If you need this coin, you had best act fast because it will sell very quickly given my extensive experience with 1838-D half eagles.

CAC has approved three in this grade with 24 finer.

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