RARE PCGS/CAC EF45 1842-C SMALL DATE $5

The backstory behind the 1842-C Small Date half eagle is interesting. Back in the 1980s and early1990s, this issue was widely recognized as the key date in the Charlotte half eagle series. A few unscrupulous dealers pushed up the values to the point where it became grossly overvalued, especially because a small group of horribly overgraded pieces—mostly in PCGS and NGC AU55 and 58 holders—resulted in auction sales at 70% discounts relative to published price guides. As a result, prices were slammed yet choice examples of this issue remain rare.

This is the single nicest non-OGH EF 1842-C Small Date I have seen in the last 20+ years. It shows 100% natural russet and green-gold color and the surfaces show no marks save for a few tiny scuffs near star one. The strike is sharp with all the stars showing their full radial lines. If I were putting together a set of Charlotte half eagles for my self, this is the EXACT coin I would want to own.

The last PCGS EF45 to sell at auction brought $21,850 all the way back in 11/2005, while no coin graded AU50 has sols since 2012.

I had to really pay up to buy this coin but if you are a serious collector of Charlotte gold, I’m sure you realize just how rare this coin is.

This is the sole EF45 example approved by CAC with just three finer (AU50, AU55 and MS63). Only 12 in total have been approved by CAC.

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