KEY DATE 1842-C SMALL DATE HALF EAGLE

The 1842-C Small Date is, by a fairly large margin, the rarest Charlotte half eagle in terms of overall rarity with around 100 known in all grades. This date is usually seen in VF-EF and while there are a number graded AU by both services, many of these are grossly overgraded and totally unoriginal. There are three or four in Uncirculated, the finest of which is a PCGS MS63+ which sold for $126,500 as Heritage 1/09: 4069.

If such a grade existed, this fresh-to-the-market example would grade “VF38.” It is really close to being a full EF coin in terms of sharpness with strong detail seen on the feathers. Both sides exhibit natural russet shadings with the color being even and nicely matched. The number of marks seen are minimal for the grade and are mostly seen in a shallow cluster behind and above the eagle’s head.

The last PCGS VF35 to sell at auction was the Bass II: 909 coin which sold for $10,350 all the way back in October, 1999. A twin to this coin was purchased by a Midwestern half eagle specialist last year; it, too, was CAC approved.

Quite frankly, I think this date is overvalued in higher grades and the present example is nicer than nearly every 1842-C Small Date I have seen in an EF40 holder.

CAC has approved three in this grade with eight finer.