VERY POPULAR PCGS AU58 1839-D $5, ex DL Hansen

Winter 2-A. The D is placed over the 39 in the date. The more common of the two varieites.

While not as well-known as the popular 1838-D, the 1839-D is also a one-year type and it represents the first incarnation of the Liberty Head design (which was modified in 1840 with a subtle redesign of the obverse and—most importantly—the shift of the D mintmark from the obverse to the reverse). This date is much scarcer in higher grades than the 1838-D. It has become exceptionally difficult to locate in AU grades, and even more so with nice color and original surfaces. The only Uncirculated piece to sell since the PCGS MS62 which brought $43,200 as Heritage 7/2022: 3266 was the Heritage 2025: 4767; a coin that was scrubby and definitely not DWN quality.

This is an extremely photogenic coin which I regard as an accurately graded coin with much better eye appeal than any other non-CAC AU55/58 1839-D $5 I’ve handled in years. It has great natural warm color with very little actual wear noted on the high spots on both sides. There is a small rim issue at 7:00 on the obverse that might look worse out of the holder as well as some shiny areas (not damage!) below the left wing and between stars one and two on the obverse.

There are three pertinent APRs of note: $28,800 for Stack’s Bowers 2024 ANA: 3327 which was OK but not as nice as this example; $30,500 for the inferior Pogue coin (ex Stack’s Bowers 2022 ANA: 6082; earlier ex Stack’s Bowers 5/2016: 4062 at $21,150); and this exact coin at $30,550 (see below).

Rare, popular, and seldom offered for sale in higher grades.

Ex Stack’s 6/2017: 11395 where it sold for $30,550.

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