Large Date variety.

The 1842-D Large Date is the second rarest half eagle from this mint after the famous 1861-D and it is the rarest in high grades. In the last two years, I have handled five 1861-D half eagles and this is the first 1842-D Large Date. Despite this issue’s demonstrable rarity, it remains not well known outside of the specialist community.

This coin shows bright orange-gold color over surfaces which are choice save for a series of pinscratches on the reverse between the second S in STATES and the O in OF.

No slabbed EF45 1842-D Large Date half eagle has sold at auction since November 1998. Since 1999, only one AU50 has sold at auction (a PCGS coin which was sold three different times). Clearly, this is a coin which is very rare and I can’t remember how long its been since I’ve owned a really choice example.

This is not a coin which is “typical DWN quality” but it is a good place holder for the Dahlonega collector who needs this date and who doesn’t feel like waiting five+ years for a better coin to come along.