There are two varieties known for Philadelphia half eagles dated 1842: the Large Letters and the Small Letters. The former is the rarer of the two but are extremely scarce in all grades and are the hardest Liberty Head P mint half eagles to find until the rare 1863-1865 Civil War issues. There are one or two Gems known but after this, the 1842 Small Letters is very rare in properly graded AU55.

This choice example is probably not far removed from the Condition Census for the issue. It has a considerable amount of luster with nice medium yellow-gold color. The strike is sharp and the amount of wear is minimal. There are a few small ticks on the obverse including a few on the chin and others in the inner left field. The reverse is clean and very choice. It should be pointed out that this date is usually found very well worn and almost never with original color and nice surfaces.

Heritage 9/13: 6771, graded AU55 by PCGS and approved by CAC, was a tiny but nicer than the current example and it brought $6,463.

PCGS has graded just three examples of this variety in AU55 with two finer.

CAC has approved two in this grade with none better.