POPULAR 1839-D HALF EAGLE IN PCGS AU53

Variety 1-A with the mintmark over the 3 in the date.

The 1839-D is a numismatically significant issue as it is a one-year type and it is also one of two Dahlonega half eagles with the mintmark located on the obverse. There are an estimated 200-225 known in all grades with most in the VF-EF range. About Uncirculated pieces are scarce, especially with any sort of eye appeal as nearly all have been dipped or cleaned and many have questionable or blatantly artificial color.

This piece has been in one collection for over a decade and it is being offered to collectors for the first time in many years. It is mostly original with nice russet and medium green-gold color atop surfaces which show a good deal of luster for the grade. As is typical for the issue, there are a number of small marks seen in the fields but none of these is deep or obtrusive. The overall eye appeal is far above average for the grade.

Only two PCGS AU53 1839-D half eagles have been offered for sale since 2007. Heritage 9/13: 6770 brought $9,400 while Stacks Bowers 2012 ANA: 12331 was bid up to $9,200. Neither coin was choice and the present example is considerably more pleasing.

After years of neglect, the numismatic importance of the 1839-D half eagle has been realized and this is an issue with multiple levels of demand.