Variety 22-O. The late die state of the rare D/D mintmark but not early enough to be designated as such.

The 1848-D is not a widely known issue but it is actually very scarce in the higher AU grades and truly rare with original color and surfaces and a nice, sharp strike.

This is among the nicer circulated 1848-D half eagles which I have handled in some time. It is uncommonly well struck with no die lapping at the left stars or swelling at the central obverse (both are common on this issue) not to mention pleasing original medium greenish-gold color. There is some luster visible on both sides and were it not for just a few too many marks in the fields, this piece would probably grade AU58.

The last PCGS AU55 example of this date to sell at auction was Heritage 2007 ANA: 2511, which brought $4,025. The auction record for a PCGS AU55 1848-D half eagle is Heritage 2005: 7512 at $5,750.

An outstanding example of this tough issue which will fit into nearly any circulated set of half eagles from this mint.

CAC has approved five in this grade with just one finer (MS63).