SCARCE PCGS/CAC AU58 1843-O LARGE LETTERS HALF EAGLE

Variety 1, later die state.

Varieties of 1843-O half eagle are known with Large Letters and Small Letters. The former is the more available of the two with an estimated 200 or so extent in all grades. This date is found either well worn (in the VF-EF range) or in Uncirculated with a small hoard meaning that as many as a dozen are known o=in relatively high grades. Choice AU pieces are not often seen and even less frequently with natural color and choice surfaces.

This very lustrous example shows just the slightest wear and is nicely toned in natural light to medium russet hues. What appears to be weakness on the reverse is, in fact, die wear which has result in weakness on the lettering from 4:00 to 8:00 and a network of fine cracks; these are frequently seen on later die states of the 1843-O Large Letters half eagle. There are minor scuffs from handling which are not deep or detracting.

Only one PCGS AU58 example of this variety has sold at auction since July 2005 and it brought $5,875 as Stacks Bowers 3/15: 7377.

If available, an Uncirculated 1843-O Large Letters half eagle will cost in the $15,000-25,000 range making this choice AU58 an especially good value for the savvy date collector.

CAC has approved three in this grade with four finer.