RARE PCGS/CAC AU55 1846-O HALF EAGLE

The 1846-O is similar in overall rarity to the 1845-O and 1851-O half eagles. There are an estimated 100-125 known in all grades with most in the VF-EF range. Properly graded AU pieces are scarce and this date becomes rare in AU55 to AU58. In Uncirculated, the 1846-O is very rare and almost never available.

This fresh-to-the-market example is notable for its sharp strike and conspicuous originality. It is lightly worn and frosty with very attractive natural green-gold color shading to orange towards the peripheries. There are some light scuffs seen in the fields but this piece appears to be fully unadulterated and it is very rare as such.

The only PCGS AU55 1846-O half eagle with CAC approval to ever sell at auction brought $7,050 as Heritage 3/14: 10619.

It would be very challenging to locate a finer 1846-O half eagle than this lovely piece and this coin would fit comfortably into nearly any date set of New Orleans half eagles.

CAC has approved two in this grade with seven finer; this appears inflated as there are five in AU58.