RARE AND POPULAR PCGS AU53 1842-D LARGE DATE $5.00

Variety 8-G.

The 1842-D Large Date is the second rarest Dahlonega half eagle in terms of overall rarity but it is clearly the rarest issue in higher grades (AU and above), easily eclipsing the famous 1861-D. While there are more than 100 known in all grades, it is probable that not more than a dozen accurately graded pieces exist in AU and just one or two in Uncirculated.

This freshly graded example is, as far as I can tell, new to the market and it is a solid coin for the grade. Both sides are lustrous and show light yellow-gold color with good detail seen at the centers and borders. As always, the surfaces are somewhat abraded but here these marks are not overly detracting. A few mint-made planchet chips can be seen onthe obverse with the most visible located between stars eleven and twelve at the border.

Only two PCGS AU53 1842-D Large Date half eagles have appeared at auction since May 2000 and the last sale was for $12,650 as Heritage 4/06: 2664.

I have had the good fortune to sell a number of exceptional 1842-D Large Date half eagles this year (including two in CAC approved PCGS AU55) and each example has quickly and discretely entered sophisticated collections of Dahlonega half eagles.