ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN 1835 HALF EAGLES: PCGS MS64

McCloskey 1-A, R-2. First Head.

The 1835 is a much scarcer issue than the 1834 Plain 4 but it is not as scarce overall as the 1836 or 1837. There may be as many as 75-85 known in all Uncirculated grades but the vast majority are in the MS60 to MS62 range and examples grading MS63 and MS64 are very scarce. I have never seen or heard of a Gem business strike 1835 half eagle and neither PCGS or NGC has yet to grade one in MS65 or higher.

This very choice 1835 half eagle is characterized by excellent overall detail and attractive natural light green-gold color which deepens somewhat towards the borders. The surfaces are clean for the issue with just a few very slight scuffs seen in the obverse fields and the luster is satiny with no signs of enhancement.

Only three PCGS MS64 1835 half eagles have sold since 2004. The most recent of these was the Pogue IV: 4051 which realized a strong $42,300 in May 2016. Before this, the current coin was the last PCGS MS64 to sell; see below for its provenance.

Withe Gems unavailable, MS64 represents the apex of quality for this date and it would be difficult to imagine a finer 1835 half eagle than the present specimen.

Ex Heritage 2008 ANA: 1960 where it realized $27,600.

From the Western Springs collection.