VERY RARE AU55 1842-D LARGE DATE HALF EAGLE

Variety 8-G.

The 1842-D Large Date trails only the famous 1861-D as far as overall rarity goes in the Dahlonega half eagle series but it is clearly the rarest issue in higher grades. The 1842-D Large Date half eagle is very rare in properly graded AU55 to AU58 and exceedingly rare in full Mint State with just one or two known.

Off the market since 2006, this example was formerly in an NGC 58 holder but is now more properly graded, in my opinion. It is well struck and still retains a good deal of natural luster below medium green-gold color which is the proper hue for this issue. There are a few scattered marks, the most notable of which is a scratch on the obverse between stars five and six and a shallow old scrape beneath the first T in STATES. For the issue, this is a coin with an above-average appearance and it is not far removed from the Condition Census.

The last PCGS AU55 1842-D Large Date half eagle to sell at auction brought $18,400 as Heritage 1/08: 3169. This exact coin is the last piece to sell at auction in an NGC 58 holder; see below for more information.

This date is missing from most advanced sets and there are far more collectors looking for nice 1842-D Large Date half eagles than there are available coins. An important opportunity.

Ex Goldberg 5/06: 3812 (as NGC AU58) where it brought $17,825.