Attributed on the holder by NGC as “1846-D” but this is actually an 1846-D/D.

The 1846-D/D is actually a more available variety than its normal mintmark counterpart but it is visually spectacular and very popular such. It is moderately scarce in the lower AU grades but it is not often seen with natural color and surfaces.

This is a very choice example for the date and grade with lovely deep, even green-gold color which covers the obverse and the reverse. The strike is sharp with complete definition at the centers and borders while the surfaces are very clean with just a few small, old marks in the right obverse field. Some luster can be seen in the protected areas but it is mostly hidden by the depth of the coloration.

The last AU53 example of the 1846-D/D half eagle to sell at auction was an NGC coin offered as Heritage 8/12: 4584, which brought $3,819. It was non-CAC and appeared to be unoriginal. Before than, close to six years had passed since the last AU53 was sold at auction.

This is a very attractive example of the most spectacular variety in the Dahlonega half eagle series.

CAC has approved just two in this grade with one finer.