THE ELIASBERG 1842 SMALL LETTERS HALF EAGLE: A CONDITION CENSUS NGC MS62 EXAMPLE

Small Letters, Eliasberg pedigree. Both are designated by NGC.

Varieties of 1842 half eagles are known with a Small Letters and Large Letters reverse. Both are rarer than any other Philadelphia date of this denomination made prior to 1863. The Small Letters is very rare in Uncirculated with just four known to me: two in MS62, one in NGC MS65 (ex Milas) and an incredible PCGS MS66.

This piece is housed in an older NGC holder and it has a fresh, vibrant appearance with lovely natural orange-gold color seen over smooth, frosty surfaces. A few light old lines in the left obverse field narrowly limit the grade but this piece has considerable eye appeal.

The most recent auction record for an MS62 is for this coin, for which see below. Another NGC MS62 which is not as choice in my opinion sold for $15,275 as Heritage 1/14: 6634.

No Motto half eagles from Philadelphia re showing signs of collector interest nd this key issue is a wonderful condition rarity with a great pedigree.

Ex Heritage 9/16: 14061 where it sold for $18,213; earlier sold as Lot 419 in the Bowers and Ruddy Eliasberg collection where it brought $2,860.