Variety 1, Die State II.

The 1844-C is the sixth rarest of 24 half eagles from this mint. Of the 125-175 which are estimated to exist, a significant percentage are in the VF-EF range. This date is characterized by poor eye appeal and choice, original coins with nice color and surfaces deserve a significant premium.

This is literally a textbook coin for the grade with really nice russet color which deepens at the borders; some dirt is in the recesses as well. The surfaces are very clean and both sides show smooth, even wear. A little roughness on the reverse is almost impossible to see without a glass and is almost certainly mint-made. This coin has great eye appeal for an 1844-C half eagle.

The last EF40 example of this date to sell at auction was a washed out NGC coin, offered as Heritage 1/13: 7134, which realized $2,233. No other examples in this grade have sold at auction since October 2009.

This coin has been off the market for many years and it represents a nice example of a date that is not often seen in this grade.