VERY RARE UNCIRCULATED 1847-C HALF EAGLE

Variety 1.

The 1847-C half eagle is common in circulated grades but it is very rare in Uncirculated with fewer than a dozen known. Most are in the MS60 to MS61 range and have negative eye appeal as a result of having been processed. I doubt if there are more than four or five with rich original color and choice surfaces.

This fresh to the market example is very close to being an MS62 (close enough that it was tried a number of times at PCGS to grade as such, to no avail…) as it has a wonderfully fresh appearance. The surfaces are frosty beneath a layer of rich natural lemon-gold color and the strike is sharp. There are a few abrasions in the obverse fields which do not detract and are what likely kept this pleasing coin from grading a point higher.

Only two PCGS MS61 1847-C half eagles have sold at auction since 2008 and the better of the pair, lacking a CAC sticker, realized $11,500 as Heritage 5/08: 3230.

A wonderful 1847-C which is choice enough for a serious set of Charlotte half eagles.

CAC has approved three in this grade with two finer (62, 63).