RARE CHOICE AU 1848-D HALF EAGLE

Variety 21-N.

The 1848-D is among the most misunderstood Dahlonega half eagles. In spite of fairly high third-party populations, it is a rare coin in the higher circulated grades, especially with a good strike and acceptable quality surfaces. In Uncirculated, the 1848-D is nearly impossible to locate and I know of six different pieces, all in the MS62 to MS63 range.

This piece is notable for exhibiting an uncommonly sharp strike with full details at the borders and centers as well as no clashmarks or die lapping. It is nearly fully lustrous with light yellow-gold color accentuated by a splash of russet in the left obverse field. There are some scattered marks on both sides include a small cluster in the lower left obverse field but none are overly detracting. For the date, the eye appeal is well above average.

Only one PCGS AU58 1848-D half eagle has sold at auction since May 2000 and it was an extremely low end example (Stacks Bowers 8/15: 1273) whose low APR of $4,994 reflects its lack of quality. A nicer NGC AU58 sold for $5,640 as Heritage 3/15: 3229 but I only graded the coin as an AU55 when I viewed it.

This date is missing from many sets of Dahlonega half eagles and I have not offered many higher grade 1848-D half eagles in the last decade.