Half Eagles - Lots 356-445
The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection - Part III
Half Eagles - Lots 356-445
Choice Mint State 1841-D $5
Tall D Mintmark
An Important Rarity
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356 1841-D Tall D Mintmark. MS-63 (PCGS). Rich greenish yellow gold with brilliant, frosty lustre and few minor surface marks. This is an extremely important opportunity for the specialist. Two reverse dies are known, one with a tall mintmark (PCGS describes this as Medium D) being extremely rare, the other with much smaller mintmark being quite common. This is the larger mintmark variety and the present example is the single Mint State example from this reverse currently certified by PCGS. Part II of the Bass Collection included five 1841-D half eagles, all with the small mintmark. Probably the finest known 1841-D Medium (or Tall) D variety, and possibly the only such example surviving in Mint State.
Two obverse dies are known, with similar but slightly different die cracks. According to author Clair M. Birdsall, in The United States Branch Mint at Dahlonega, one obverse die cracked during the coinage of 1,131 coins delivered on January 18, and another obverse die cracked prior to the delivery of February 22, during mintage of an additional 2,974 coins. The balance of 25,287 coins were struck much later in the year. As this obverse does not have any trace of a die crack, coinage can be conclusively dated prior to February 22, 1841.
PCGS Population: 1; none finer.
The obverse has circular raised lathe marks resulting from die finishing, not during the portrait lathe process, but most probably on this particular working die itself, (unless identical marks can be found on a different working die), no doubt acquired by placing the die in a lathe chuck during the basining process. In the machine shop at the Dahlonega Mint, the die could have been turned to remove oxidation (less likely, as no evidence of oxidation is seen on the portrait). Perhaps after this catalogue is prepared we will study the die further and make notes.
Light repunching is visible below all four date digits. There are no traces of die cracks or other die defects. Star 8 is very slightly recut.
From Stack’s 1976 ANA Sale, Lot 2955.
357 1841-D Tall D Mintmark. EF-40. Another example of the very rare Tall Mintmark variety, for the specialist. Natural greenish gold with a hint of orange patina. Very minor hairlines and other abrasions are noted. About average for this date, mintmark, and grade.
Perfect obverse die, struck early in the year.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of the Shuford Collection, May 1968, Lot 2053.
358 1841-D Small D Mintmark. VF-20. Very pleasing greenish gold, deeper in the fields, creating a two-tone effect. Minor circulation marks and other abrasions are noted, however, none are serious. This is a later die state as noted below, and is an example of the usually seen Small Mintmark variety.
Repunched date. The obverse has a bisecting crack from 12:00 to 6:00, passing between 8 and 4 but touching neither.
Purchased from Hawaii Stamp and Coin, August 19, 1968.
Scarce 1842 Half Eagle
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359 1842 Small Letters. AU-58. Nicely defined with lustrous yellow gold surfaces, and only very minor abrasions. Perhaps lightly cleaned in the past. With a low mintage of 27,578 coins, this is a scarce issue. The proportion of Small Letters examples is unknown. In any event, a coin of AU quality such as this is seldom seen.
All Philadelphia Mint half eagles have Small Date obverse. Some from Charlotte and Dahlonega also have a Large Date obverse.
Minute recutting is visible on 8 and 4. Reverse has a die crack through tops of FIVE D, extending left through UNIT and right through CA. Another crack extends through lower part of ERICA.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of the Shuford Collection, May 1968, Lot 1973.
Quantity Half Eagle Lot
360 A quantity lot comprising a dozen half eagles, each with some problems such as being lightly cleaned, having scratches, or having "seawater surfaces—pieces acquired here and there by Harry Bass, no doubt for date and die state studies, but not for their quality. Ideal for the bargain hunter, the seller of low-priced coins on the Internet, or other vendor whose clientele is more oriented toward price than quality—indeed, there is a market for everything. All told, a lot of interesting varieties are included: I 1842 Small Letters. F-15. Scratches I 1844-O VF-20. Saltwater surfaces with some rim damage I 1845 Net VF-20; sharpness of EF-45, heavy reverse scratches I 1856-S Medium S. VF-20. Saltwater surfaces I 1857-S Large S. VF-30. Saltwater surfaces I 1859-C Net VF-35; sharpness of AU-55, burnished I 1880-S VF-30. Scratches I 1884-CC VF-20, cleaned I 1888-S Net F-12; sharpness of VF-35, burnished I 1894-S Doubled Mintmark. VF-30, cleaned I 1896-S Net VF-35; sharpness of AU-50, harshly cleaned I 1896-S Net VG-8; sharpness of EF-40, heavy scratches. (Total: 12 pieces)
361 1842 Large Letters. VF-20. Light yellow gold, perhaps cleaned, with minor hairlines. Two short scrapes are present in the left obverse field. This variety with Large Letters reverse is scarcer than the Small Letters variety.
Perfect dies.
As a general rule, coins pedigreed to the Shuford Collection are about average in quality, sometimes less—Shuford was a "bottom feeder" when he bought for his collection (as the cataloguer, Abe Kosoff, readily admitted), and sought price more than quality. However, by the luck of the draw he acquired many nice pieces as well, a few being above average (of which this particular specimen is not).
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of the Shuford Collection, May 1968, Lot 1974.
Rare 1842-C Half Eagle
Small Date, Small Letters
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362 1842-C Small Date, Small Letters. AU-53 (PCGS). Sharply struck with frosty bright yellow gold lustre, especially in the protected areas around devices. A few minor surface marks are noted, however, none are serious in nature. A diagonal mark on Liberty’s chin and two others in the upper right reverse field will serve as convenient pedigree markers. This is considered the rarest of all Charlotte Mint half eagles, according to Doug Winter and others. In fact, Winter described this issue as "the rarest collectible coin from Charlotte." One example is known in strict Mint State preservation, with only a few others in AU grades, including the present coin which is probably fifth or sixth finest known.
PCGS Population: 4; 4 finer (MS-62 finest).
The obverse has a raised rim break around the border, centered over star 7, in effect giving a high edge at this point—very unusual. The feature extends from midway between stars 6 and 7 to midway between stars 7 and 8. Otherwise perfect dies. The majority of known examples are from this die state.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of the Shuford Collection, May 1968, Lot 2029; one of his "nicer" coins.
Delightful 1842-C Half Eagle
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363 1842-C Large Date. AU-55 (PCGS). This lovely Charlotte half eagle has light greenish yellow gold lustre with pleasing surfaces. A few light hairlines and other abrasions are noted, and mentioned for accuracy. From a larger date font than the Philadelphia Mint coins of this year. Also from the Broad Mill layout discussed above at 1840 Philadelphia Mint half eagles. Total mintage was 27,432 coins, with most of these the Large Date variety.
Small Letters reverse layout with all letters widely spaced except FIVE and AM.
Perfect dies.
The formation of a complete set of Charlotte Mint half eagles is a realistic goal, and has been attempted with success many times. There are no "impossible" or even super-difficult rarities, although some of the lower mintage issues do require some searching. At the AU level and higher the population thins out, and although such coins await the patient searcher, they cannot be gathered quickly.
Although no one single rule fits Charlotte coins, in general they are of a lighter gold color, due to natural alloy of silver, than are those of Dahlonega (which often tend to be reddish gold).
The best way to go about collecting Charlotte coins is to read about them. Walter Breen’s Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins, 1988, furnishes a convenient starting point. After that, a copy of Douglas Winter’s Gold Coins of the Charlotte Mint is essential (both available from our Publications Department).
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of November 1968, Lot 845.
364 1842-D Small Date. Net EF-40; sharpness of AU-50, reverse rim nicks. Deep green-gold with light orange patina. Light hairlines and other abrasions are noted. An acceptable example—about average—despite the minor imperfections.
Small Letters reverse as previously described.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of March 1967, Lot 463.
Important 1842-D Large Date $5
Not Offered in Bass II Sale
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365 1842-D Large Date. AU-53 (PCGS). This is a very rare variety whose true rarity is often not recognized. Douglas Winter rated this as second among 26 issues in terms of overall rarity. Bright greenish yellow gold with some marks, etc. as is normal for the AU-53 level.
Although the total mintage for the year was 59,608 coins, only a small percentage of the total was this variety. At the time Winter wrote his book he was not aware of a Mint State piece, although we note that at present PCGS describes an MS-61. The present coin—most important as it is now for sale—is believed to be among the best four or five known. Only a couple nicer examples have come to market in the past decade. Our memorable Bass II sale did not have one in any grade.
PCGS Population: 6; 4 finer (MS-61 finest).
Perfect dies. Reverse with Large Letter font.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, May 1, 1968.
Prooflike 1842-O Half Eagle
Small Date, Small Letters
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366 1842-O MS-60. Fully prooflike with attractive cameo contrast. Light yellow gold displays a trace of green. The obverse is marred by a series of small scratches from the upper left field, across the hair curls below the coronet. A few other surface imperfections are noted. The entire mintage of 16,400 coins was accomplished from one pair of dies, sent to New Orleans late in 1841. Possibly a reverse from a previous year may have also been used. This issue is extremely rare in Mint State with just two or three such coins known. Finest known for the variety is from the Eliasberg Collection, later sold by Stack’s as part of the Milas Collection in 1995. That coin is graded MS-63 by NGC, although was graded just AU-55 when offered as part of the Eliasberg Collection. Another example appeared in Part II of the Bass Collection, graded MS-61. This example, which is very sharply struck, is probably one of the top five or six known. Slight weakness only appears on the usual points of the reverse, the claws and other lower details.
Narrow Mill: 21.9 mm.
All known examples of this issue are the Small Date, Small Letters style.
From Abner Kreisberg’s sale of November 1970, Lot 1700.
Scarce 1842-O Half Eagle
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367 1842-O EF-45. Very light greenish yellow gold with minor hairlines and other imperfections. Slight central weakness is noted on the highest hair curls and among details of the eagle, representing the deepest recesses in the coinage dies. This issue had a very low mintage of just 16,400 coins, with less than 1% remaining today.
Perfect dies.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of the Shuford Collection, May 1968, Lot 2076.
Scarce Mint State 1843 Half Eagle
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368 1843 MS-62 (PCGS). A delightful example with bright, frosty yellow gold lustre and few minor surface marks. Sharply struck with considerable aesthetic appeal. This is truly a rare coin in an absolute sense, in the spectrum of gold coins, it is one of the more available Mint State Liberty half eagles without motto.
The reverse has a crack from the border through second T in STATES to the eagle’s head, and another (or possibly the same crack) from the arrow feathers to V.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, July 17, 1967.
369 A group of study pieces that is ideal for the buyer—and their numbers are legion—who are more concerned with numerical grade than with surface quality. These were coins acquired here and there by Harry Bass in his study of date logotypes and minute varieties: I 1843 Repunched 18 (the underdigit 18 seems to be from a smaller logotype, intended for a smaller denomination, and as such is of more than passing interest—a coin worthy of close bidder attention). AU-58, cleaned I 1847 MS-62. Scratches below date. A truly lovely coin except for the all important marks—‘tis a pity I 1861 AU-58, cleaned. Harry Bass made note of some very interesting raised lumps within the vertical shield stripes—interesting I 1880-S MS-60. Light scratches I 1887-S AU-58. Scratches. (Total: 5 pieces)
Pleasing Group of Coronet $5
370 A pleasing group of Coronet Head half eagles ranging from AU-55 to AU-58, each highly lustrous and attractive—a delightful run that would well form the basis for a specialized collection of this design or, alternatively, for close study of logotype and other variations: I 1843. Bright and lustrous. Some toning at upper right obverse and marks near star 13 I 1847. Bright yellow gold. Interior of shield stripes somewhat prooflike and with interesting break at top of left most element in second stripe I 1852. Frosty and brilliant. I 1873 Closed 3. Pale gold surfaces, cleaned long ago. Some marks on cheek and on reverse. Technically EF perhaps, but value of EF-40. Reverse with very interesting vertical shield stripe elements, very delicate—perhaps worthy of further study. Harry Bass commented, "straw in shield, making note of its highly unusual character I 1880. Brilliant and frosty, a nice piece which some might call MS-60 I 1883 I 1887-S. Very lustrous and frosty, a high-end example I 1888-S. Numerous bagmarks in the field—probably kept in a bag in a bank vault for decades I 1895 Marks here and there, characteristic of the AU level. Fairly nice overall I 1900. Bagmarks keep this from the Mint State level. Nearly all frost still remains I 1906-S. Each displays lustrous and attractive surfaces. Marks here and there, especially on neck, value of say, EF-40, although AU from a numerical viewpoint. (Total: 11 pieces)
371 Grouping of AU-55 half eagles, each has been cleaned at one time except where noted. Another nice "study group" for the specialist or a commercial group for the bargain seeker: I 1843 I 1848. Whizzed I 1861 I 1879 I 1879-S I 1883 I 1885-S I 1886-S. Light scratches I 1893-S. Scratches. (Total: 9 pieces)
372 Baker’s dozen of AU-50 half eagles: I 1843 Repunched 18 (Small 18 from different logotype, as described earlier) I 1845 I 1846 Large Date I 1847 Doubled 7 I 1855 I 1880 I 1881-S I 1884 I 1892-CC I 1894 I 1898-S I 1903 I 1907-D. Each displays lustrous surfaces, a well matched grouping. (Total: 13 pieces)
373 1843-C AU-58. Sharply struck with considerable greenish gold lustre, and reflective fields which display minor hairlines and other evidence of light cleaning. A few other minor scratches and imperfections are also noted. Although a rarity as are all Charlotte and Dahlonega gold coins, this is one of the more available half eagles from the North Carolina mint.
Broad Mill: 22.3 mm.
Perfect dies.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of June 1970, Lot 444.
Mint State 1843-D Half Eagle
Medium Mintmark Variety
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374 1843-D Medium Mintmark. MS-61 (PCGS). Sharply struck with frosty bright yellow gold lustre and reflective fields. A lovely example of this issue, and seldom seen in such quality. Although a few hundred examples exist from the mintage of 98,452, only eight or nine Mint State examples survive today. Doug Winter noted: "This is one of the best manufactured Dahlonega half eagles. It is possible to locate an example that is well struck, lustrous, and attractively toned. Finding one with clean surfaces, however, is quite challenging." Although the surfaces of this example are not perfect, it still seems to meet the "Winter Challenge."
PCGS Population: 3; 3 finer (MS-64 finest).
Previously, this style mintmark has been designated as Large, but the true Large Mintmark was not employed until 1845.
From Stack’s sale of the Scanlon Collection, October 1973.
Amazing 1843-O Half Eagle
Large Letters
Among the Finest Known
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375 1843-O Large Date, Large Letters, Plain 4. MS-64 (NGC). Warm golden orange toning on lustrous surfaces. Prooflike in appearance, with frosted motifs and mirror fields presenting strong cameo contrast. A landmark rarity from the New Orleans Mint, at least where condition is concerned.
Regarding the rarity of the 1843-O at the present level, David Akers, who saw and studied many things, wrote: "Strictly Uncirculated examples may exist, but I have personally never seen one." This was prior to the appearance of the present coin on the market.
This may be the finest known specimen. At least we do not recall ever seeing a nicer one.
NGC Population: 2; none finer.
The obverse has several very fine die cracks, while the reverse has minute rust marks and microscopic clash marks. On the obverse: a crack joins border and bust, through digit 1, touching extreme left foot and crossing top at junction of upper left serif and upright. Three short cracks from border join outer points of stars 2, 3, and 4. Another passes through star 6 to junction of hair curl and coronet. A thin crack from star 12 joins lowest curl behind neck. Seldom do examples of these early half eagles appear in grades high enough to document all the fine die cracks.
From Stack’s sale of the Milas Collection, May 1995, Lot 452.
Desirable 1843-O Half Eagle
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376 1843-O Large Date, Small Letters. AU-55 (PCGS). Sharply struck with reflective greenish gold lustre and very faint orange patina. A few very minor surface marks are noted, typical of these early gold coins. This example is well within the top 10 finest examples of this variety, with a small group of Mint State coins discovered in Louisiana last year at the top of the list. Prior to that discovery of four coins, this variety was virtually unknown in full Mint State preservation. In fact, when we offered a similar AU-55 grade example in Part II of the Bass Collection, we described the coin as one of the finest known examples.
PCGS Population: 3; 1 finer (AU-58).
Purchased from James Cohen, August 20, 1968.
Lovely Mint State 1844 Half Eagle
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377 1844 MS-62. Frosty light yellow gold surfaces with brilliant lustre. Sharply struck with all details fully defined. Very minor hairlines and other imperfections are noted. This is an aesthetically pleasing example, one of a handful of Mint State survivors, perhaps in the range of 30 to 50 coins. Originally, 340,330 coins were struck, with this issue the most plentiful of any produced from 1839 to 1844.
An interesting feature involves the shield on the reverse. All vertical lines in the shield extend completely through the horizontal lines to the top shield border. Obverse with date heavily punched in die.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of April 1970, Lot 734.
Pleasing Mint State 1844 $5
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378 1844 MS-62. Satiny light yellow gold with fully brilliant lustre. A few very minor abrasions are consistent with the grade. Very scarce in Mint State, with only about one such coin existing today for every 10,000 pieces minted over a century and a half ago.
Date lightly punched in die, making the logotype appear quite different in spacing than that described above. However, upon close inspection the proportions and alignment seem to be the same, and we believe that the same punch was used. Obverse with a ring attached to Liberty’s earlobe. Reverse similar to preceding with unusual extension of the vertical shield stripes. Possibly a different die with additional curious spikes extending upward from the junction of wing and neck, just left of the shield.
Purchased from Julian Leidman, April 13, 1973.
Interesting Half Eagle Group
379 Dozen half eagles grading net AU-50; sharpness finer, cleaned at one time, except where noted. A very interesting group that will reward the buyer who studies the pieces under magnification I 1844 I 1845 Recut 8. Saltwater I 1857 I 1861 I 1879. Harshly cleaned I 1880 I 1881-S/O I 1893-S I 1898 I 1900-S. Brushed I 1901 Repunched 1. Light scratches I 1906-D. (Total: 12 pieces)
Another Interesting $5 Group
380 Dozen AU-50 Liberty half eagles: I 1844 I 1846 Large Date (2) I 1852. Cleaned long ago I 1873 Closed 3 I 1881 Doubled Date I 1881-S I 1892-CC Doubled Mintmark I 1893-O I 1897-S S Over S (best seen under high magnification). Scattered marks. I 1901-S I 1903-S. Each with lustrous surfaces. Again, these pieces can be very fascinating to own if each is carefully studied under magnification. Over the range of years indicated there are numerous variations in logotype sizes, styles and positions, some double dates, and other differences. (Total: 12 pieces)
Lustrous 1844-C Half Eagle
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381 1844-C AU-55 (PCGS). Lightly abraded yellow gold surfaces (taken care of by the assignment of the AU-55 grade) with a hint of greenish lustre. A delightful example, nevertheless, with outstanding aesthetic appeal. This is a scarce issue which is quite elusive in higher grades.
PCGS Population: 2; 7 finer (MS-63 finest).
The reverse has a die crack from the border through first A in AMERICA to eagle’s wing and neck. Another crack, or extension of the first, arcs down through the eagle’s neck and shield.
Douglas Winter discusses an article by Anthony Stautzenberger which states that the public had lost their faith in Bechtler coinage by this time, and gained increased confidence in Charlotte Mint gold. As a result, and also a result of a fire the following year within the mint, this 1844-dated issue saw extensive circulation.
We would enjoy seeing an original report, newspaper article, or documentation circa 1844 about this.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of March 1969, Lot 228.
382 1844-D AU-55 (PCGS). Brilliant green-gold lustre with slightly reflective fields and frosty design motifs. Sharply struck with full obverse and reverse definition. A few very minor surface marks are noted, none serious. Not as rare as earlier issues, however, certainly far from a common date. Although 88,982 coins were reported as struck, it is not certain that all coins were actually dated 1844.
Perfect dies. Medium D mintmark, recently reclassified from the Large designation.
Purchased from Jack Klausen, June 19, 1968.
Choice Mint State 1844-O Half Eagle
Among the Finest Known
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383 1844-O Normal Stars. MS-63 (PCGS). With the exception of a single Proof example, and a gem MS-65 coin which we sold in Part II of the Bass Collection, this is one of the very finest 1844-O half eagles in existence. Very sharply struck with rich, frosty yellow gold lustre. Very minor hairlines and other minute abrasions are noted. This is the only No Motto New Orleans Mint half eagle that is readily available in Mint State. Actually, in an absolute sense these pieces are very hard to find. It has been our experience that year for year, New Orleans pieces are more difficult to find in grades such as AU and Mint State than are those of Charlotte and Dahlonega. Without going into great detail, the general reason seems to be that New Orleans coins circulated far and wide, whereas many Charlotte and Dahlonega pieces stayed in their regions, tended to change hands less frequently, and on the eve of the Civil War were hoarded by citizens.
PCGS Population: 5; 1 finer (MS-65).
The reverse has minute die cracks through the bases of most letters.
Mint State 1844-O Half Eagle
Breen’s "Small Thin Stars"
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384 1844-O Small Thin Stars. MS-61 (PCGS). An outstanding example with lustrous greenish yellow gold surfaces and very minor surface marks, consistent with the numerical grade. This variety is actually best considered a die state of the Normal Stars obverse with the die lapped.
In general, New Orleans Mint half eagles in Mint State are exceedingly rare—and the opportunity to acquire attractive ones, such as this, occurs only at widely spaced intervals.
Breen 6554.
Reverse with light bisecting die crack from ES, through eagle, to left serif of U.
Purchased from Jimmy Hayes, August 17, 1972.
385 1844-O Small Thin Stars. AU-55. A pleasing example with considerable frosty lustre, especially in the protected portions near the central motif, around stars, date digits, and letters on the reverse. A few very minor handling marks are noted.
Breen-6554
The reverse die is shattered, including a diagonal bisecting crack through ES to the eagle’s head, wing, leaves, and left serif of U.
From Abner Kreisberg’s "Quality Sale" of September 1971, Lot 1035.
Choice Mint State 1845 Half Eagle
Tied for Finest Certified by PCGS
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386 1845 MS-64 (PCGS). Satiny greenish yellow gold with sharp design details. An attractive example of an issue that is quite underrated in Mint State preservation. In Part II of the Bass Collection, we offered the Norweb example. These two coins represent two of the very finest known 1845 half eagles. A month after the previous Bass offering, in November 1999, we offered a third PCGS-graded MS-64 example—perhaps violating the rule that good things sometimes come in pairs. Regardless, even though unusual pieces sometimes come on the market in twos or threes, at other times there can be a long dry spell with no pieces offered at all. As always, opportunity is the key word.
PCGS Population: 4; none finer.
Minute die cracks extend through several obverse stars. The reverse has several small die cracks through bases or tops of many letters.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of October 1968, Lot 1567.
Choice Mint State 1845 Half Eagle
Very Heavy Date
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387 1845 MS-63 (PCGS). Brilliant, frosty yellow gold lustre with slightly reflective fields, resulting in an attractive cameo appearance. The date was deeply and remarkably punched far into the working the die—creating a very "heavy date," unusual for its boldness. This lovely half eagle has a few very minor surface marks, however, none are serious. Although the mintage was quite high, with 417,099 coins struck, only a couple dozen Mint State examples survive, with three in the present sale.
PCGS Population: 2; 4 finer (all MS-64).
The date is very heavily punched into the die. All numerals are very heavy, with the upper curve and flag of digit 5 very close. The deeper a date logotype is punched into a working die, the closer the spacing of the numerals becomes. However, if a die such as this were to be relapped, the letters would become "thin" and widely spaced on later die states. Trying to determine how various peculiarities of a die were made, or changed, is a fascinating pursuit—one of the joys of cataloguing the Bass Collection.
Diagonal die lines pass through Miss Liberty’s eye.
Purchased from the Goliad Corporation, January 2, 1980.
Third Mint State 1845 Half Eagle
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388 1845 Recut 18. MS-60. Sharply struck in light yellow gold with reflective fields and moderate abrasions. Numerous minor hairlines suggest this was lightly cleaned at some time in the distant past. The opportunity to bid on three Mint State examples of this issue in the same sale is not unheard of (check Part II of the Bass Collection!), but certainly is remarkable. During the past decade, through and including the present offering, only about 15 Mint State 1845 half eagles have crossed the auction block—with seven of these so far in the Bass Collection! Remarkable!
Digits 1 and 8 are recut below; the repunching is from the same size logotype (not a smaller logotype).
Purchased from J.E. Ryan, August 29, 1973.
Mint State 1845-D Half Eagle
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389 1845-D MS-61 (PCGS). A very sharply struck example with outstanding bright yellow gold lustre, featuring a hint of green. Splashes of coppery orange toning are visible on both obverse and reverse. This is an exceptional example with few abrasions of any kind. Although two finer examples were offered in Part II of the Bass Collection, this coin is still one of the finer known examples, certainly within the top 10.
PCGS Population: 1; 5 finer (MS-65 finest).
With this year, the true Large mintmark was first employed.
A crack extends through ERICA, FIVE D, and U.
Fooled by a photograph: Your editor was perusing the Bass II catalogue and came across the illustration of Lot 949, which appears to have a slanted 5 in the date—something we did not know when cataloguing this particular piece. Through a fortuitous circumstance we were able to borrow the coin from the successful bidder, only to learn that this particular variety had a normal upright 5, and that it must have been a shadow on the coin or toning that made the photograph look different. We were fooled for a time and thought we had discovered a new variety—after the catalogue was published!
From Stack’s sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 866.
390 1845-D AU-55. Greenish gold with reflective, slightly prooflike surfaces. Obverse and reverse rims have been lightly filed to diminish the effects of bruises or other damage. This is a coin which needs to be carefully examined, for the filing is not as serious as one might imagine. Placed in a plastic holder, the filing would scarcely be noticeable.
Upright 5 in date.
From Stack’s sale of the Miles Collection, October 1968, Lot 401.
Lustrous 1845-O Half Eagle
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391 1845-O Repunched Date. AU-55 (PCGS). Lustrous greenish gold with moderately abraded surfaces. Very slightly weak at center of obverse and reverse, however, most details are quite bold. This variety, with 18 in date repunched, is much scarcer than that with normal date.
Purchased from the Goliad Corporation, April 11, 1972.
Mint State 1846 Half Eagle
Large Date
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392 1846 Large Date. MS-61. Sharply struck with lustrous greenish gold surfaces, very slightly reflective in nature. Faint hairlines and other abrasions are noted, no doubt the result of light cleaning long ago. A pleasing example of the Large Date variety, sometimes also known as Medium Date.
The difference in size between the Small Date and Large Date varieties is not dramatic. In fact, careful measurement of all date digits indicates that the height of each is only about one-eighth mm greater on the Large Date. This Large Date is 6.0 mm wide from left edge of upright of 1 to right edge of lower curve of 6. On the Small Date examples in the present sale, the date width is 5.6 mm.
From Stack’s sale of the Bartle Collection, October 1984, Lot 1029.
393 1846 Small Date. AU-58. Lustrous greenish gold with light hairlines and abrasions, and a faint scratch in the right obverse field. This Small Date variety is clearly scarcer than the Large Date.
From Stack’s sale of the Alto Collection, November 1970, Lot 167.
394 Grouping of half eagles grading AU-55. A nice run of different varieties—displaying interesting peculiarities among date logotypes and other features: I 1846 Large Date I 1847 Doubled 7, the earlier 7 being a smaller numeral —perhaps from a tentative touching of a smaller date logotype, interesting! I 1856 I 1878 I 1881 I 1891 I 1896 I 1898-S I 1901/0-S. Each displays lustrous and attractive surfaces. (Total: 9 pieces)
395 Selection of AU-55 half eagles: I 1846 Large Date I 1847 I 1873 Open 3 I 1878-S I 1881 I 1895 I 1897 I 1899 I 1904-S Recut S I 1905-S. Each is lustrous with yellow gold surfaces. (Total: 10 pieces)
396 1846 Small Date. AU-50. Light yellow gold with a hint of orange. A few minor rim bruises are noted on the reverse.
Purchased from Edwin Shapiro, April 7, 1969.
397 Grouping of half eagles with minor problems. A group that will be fairly inexpensive for the purchaser, due to the surfaces of the pieces, but which offers interesting logotype positions, minor variations, etc. I 1846 Large Date. Net EF-45; sharpness of AU-55, saltwater I 1849 Doubled 49. EF-45. Rim cut I 1852 Net EF-40; sharpness of AU-53, harshly cleaned I 1856 Net EF-45; sharpness of MS-60, polished I 1878 EF-45, cleaned I 1906-D EF-45. Scratches I 1882-CC EF-40, lightly cleaned I 1884-S EF-40, cleaned I 1891-CC EF-40, cleaned. (Total: 9 pieces)
398 1846-C Small Date. AU-50. Sharply struck with green-gold surfaces and minor abrasions. Moderate hairlines seem to be from a long-ago cleaning. In addition, some rim marks and filing marks are noted. This is a piece that invites in-person inspection, as although we try to transmit a word picture by describing salient features that catch our eye, overall the piece has a pleasing aspect—as a quick glance will verify. A scarce issue from a mintage of 12,995 coins.
The collecting of Charlotte Mint half eagles is a popular pursuit, and one that can be completed given time, patience, and a reasonable budget. Unlike the general situation for San Francisco issues of a slightly later period (the 1850s and 1860s), Charlotte coins of the 1840s and 1850s can often be acquired in such grades as AU—as offered here.
Pleasing 1846-D/D Half Eagle
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399 1846-D Small Date, Repunched Mintmark. AU-55 (PCGS). Sharply struck with lustrous greenish yellow gold surfaces. A few very minor abrasions are noted, however, none are serious. This variety has a very sharply doubled mintmark, described below, and is in demand from specialists and from those who are intrigued by similar die blunders among all denominations. This variety is actually more common than the perfect mintmark, although the latter is not nearly as interesting.
Large D mintmark is sharply doubled with the initial impression much too high and buried beneath the branch stem. The final impression is in a much more appropriate position with the result that this second punch overlaps the bottom third of the initial punch.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of September 1967, Lot 428.
400 1846-D Small Date, Perfect Mintmark. Net EF-45; sharpness of AU-55, surfaces very lightly etched from saltwater submersion. This is the style sometimes called "seawater Uncirculated," for, presumably, such pieces were Mint State, or close to it, when they were lost at sea. Very sharply struck and quite attractive. Perfect Mintmark variety, which is much rarer than the Doubled Mintmark variety.
Under close inspection, very minute die details can be seen, including a raised line from star 1 to the neck and other artifacts of the die preparation or finishing process. On the reverse the barest trace of a crack is seen through the letters from the final A (AMERICA) continuing clockwise through the denomination, continuing further to U and the upper U (UNITED) and the upper left of N, to the border.
How interesting it would be if we could know the name of the ship in which this pretty little 1846-D half eagle was part of the cargo. However, many if not most undersea treasure recoveries, if not large or important in size and financing, usually go unrecorded—simply because otherwise the litigation, etc., would be more costly than the numismatic value of a handful of pieces found.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of November 1968, Lot 856.
Prooflike 1846-O Half Eagle
Condition Census
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401 1846-O AU-55 (PCGS). Very sharply struck with fully prooflike obverse and reverse fields. The devices are lustrous, creating a delightful cameo contrast. All hair details around the face are extremely sharp, with very slight weakness only on the E of LIBERTY. This is a rare issue with the present example among the top 10 known.
Purchased from Doug Weaver, August 29, 1973.
Delightful 1847 Half Eagle
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402 1847 MS-62 (PCGS). A wonderful example with fully lustrous, frosty yellow gold surfaces. A few very minor marks are noted, consistent with the grade. In Mint State, this is the only readily available date among all issues in the 1840s—and readily available must be considered in context, for even an MS-60 1847 half eagle would be far rarer, than for example, a Mint State 1889-CC Morgan dollar (the latter being worth tens of thousands of dollars).
Very faint obverse die cracks.
Purchased from Julian Leidman, June 6, 1969.
Lovely Mint State 1847 Half Eagle
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403 1847 1 in Neck. MS-61 (PCGS). Lustrous and frosty bright yellow gold with reflective fields, an attractive cameo presentation. A few very minor marks are noted, however, this is a delightful coin nevertheless. Sharply struck with full obverse and reverse design details.
Variety with misplaced digit 1 at edge of neck. Short raised die file lines follow the obverse border below date and left. Very slight doubling at upper right serif of crossbar of 4. The reverse shows diagonal die striae, indicating that this must be a very early impression from the die.
Purchased from Julian Leidman, May 18, 1971.
404 1847 Doubled 7. MS-60. Lustrous light yellow gold with very minor surface marks. A pleasing, example of this popular variety.
The final 7 is much larger than the 7 under it; perhaps the logotype punch intended for a smaller denomination was first used, then the error discovered. A die crack extends from O in OF to right shield tip, though eagle, to E of FIVE.
From RARCOA’s 1970 ANA Sale, Lot 1533.
405 Selection of half eagles grading AU-58. A lovely selection which could well form the nucleus for a date and mintmark collection: I 1847 Doubled 7 I 1853 I 1879 I 1880-S I 1886 I 1887-S I 1892 I 1897 I 1900-S. Each is lustrous with attractive surfaces. (Total: 9 pieces)
406 Grouping of AU-58 half eagles: I 1847 I 1861 I 1879-S Recut 8 and 9 I 1880-S I 1886-S I 1888 I 1892-S I 1899-S I 1902 (Perhaps some would call this MS-60) I 1907-D. Each has attractive lustrous surfaces. (Total: 10 pieces)
407 Selection of half eagles grading AU-55: I 1847 1 in Neck. Lustrous I 1854. Lustrous yellow gold surfaces I 1873 Closed 3. Lustrous I 1878-S. Small but noticeable scrapes on the reverse I 1882. Lustrous reddish orange-gold I 1895-S. Lustrous with splashes of red I 1898. Lustrous I 1899-S. Lustrous I 1905. Lustrous I 1906. Lustrous. Another very nice group that will be a delight to the casual collector and specialist alike. (Total: 10 pieces)
Scarce 1847-C Half Eagle
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408 1847-C AU-50. Light greenish yellow gold with splashes of orange patina. Minor marks and hairlines are evident, none serious. This is a scarce issue, as are all Charlotte and Dahlonega gold coins, with the majority of survivors in Very Fine or Extremely Fine condition. Generally sharp design details, although weak at the centers, typical of most known examples.
Perfect dies.
Upper right of 7 merges with neck truncation. Flat bottom to 7 (on the logotype, and seen on all dies of this year).
From Lester Merkin’s sale of April 1969, Lot 240.
Lustrous 1847-D Half Eagle
Memorable Quality
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409 1847-D AU-58 (PCGS). Lovely green-gold lustre with reflective fields. Lightly abraded surfaces, however, much nicer than normally encountered. This is likely among the top 10 examples known. Doug Winter noted this issue is "rare in properly graded AU-55 [or finer]." In our opinion this piece is, indeed, properly graded.
Date logotype as preceding. Upper right of 7 barely touches neck truncation. Logotype punched deeply into the working die, as seems to be the rule for branch mint issues (so that they can be more easily relapped and kept in service longer?).
From Stack’s 1976 ANA Sale, August 1976, Lot 2967.
410 1847-D Net EF-45; sharpness of AU-55, heavy reverse scratches below ES in STATES; test mark on reverse border. A coin that should be inspected before bidding, as the overall "personality" of the piece is nicer than our matter-of-fact description imparts. This issue consisted of an original mintage amounting to 64,405 coins, with less than 1% surviving today.
A thin reverse crack extends through tops of FIVE D. and down to the border.
Purchased from RARCOA, May 18, 1972.
411 1847-D VF-35. An attractive light yellow gold example with typical lightly abraded surfaces.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of March 1967, Lot 467.
Outstanding 1847-O $5 Rarity
An O-Mint Classic
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412 1847-O AU-53 (PCGS). Similar in quality to Lot 984 in Part II of the Bass Collection. Greenish yellow gold with a hint of orange patina. Few very light hairlines are visible. A most attractive example of this rarity, one of 12,000 coins struck. This issue is unknown in Mint State with only five or six AU examples known. Typical survivors are VF or EF.
This issue is one of the rarest of all Liberty half eagles, regardless of date and mint. An important opportunity for the specialist.
Recently offered examples in AU include two coins in Part II of the Bass Collection, an example sold by Heritage in the 1999 FUN sale, another in the Milas Collection sold by Stack’s in 1995, a specimen sold in June 1997 by Spink America, and five or six lower AU grade examples sold during the 1990s, some of which may represent duplicate auction appearances of the same coins.
PCGS Population: 6; 2 finer (both AU-55).
Large date logotype punched high in the field with top of 1 solidly joined to bust and top of 7 minutely separated from bust. Mintmark low in reverse field, closer to FIVE than to arrow feathers. The date logotype is very lightly punched into the working die, giving it a distinctly different appearance with wider spacing than on most dies of this year. As an interesting exercise, simply compare the illustration of this piece with just about any other 1847 $5.
From RARCOA’s sale of May 1969, Lot 210.
Elusive 1848 Half Eagle
Among the Finest Known
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413 1848 MS-63 (PCGS). This is one of the finest appearing coins in the present sale, an aesthetic delight. The connoisseur will appreciate the brilliant, frosty yellow gold devices, surrounded by reflective, prooflike fields. Under magnification diagonal die striae can be seen on both sides—indicating that this is a very early impression from the die pair. A few very minor abrasions appear in the fields, and are reflected by the mirrored surfaces. Although 260,775 half eagles were struck in Philadelphia this year, only a couple dozen Mint State examples survive. Slightly weak at central obverse and reverse, a common occurrence among coins of this design type.
PCGS Population: 4; 1 finer (MS-64 although this coin no longer appears in the Population Report).
A short projection from the upper right serif of T in UNITED extends up into the space between TE.
Purchased from the Goliad Corporation, December 13, 1991.
414 1848 MS-60. Another attractive Mint State example of this elusive issue, this with light yellow gold lustre, frosty on the obverse and reflective on the reverse.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of the Shuford Collection, May 1968, Lot 1980.
415 1848-C AU-50. Medium yellow gold with slightly rough, porous surfaces. A so-called "seawater" example which was recovered at some unspecified time from a sunken ship. A few minor dents and scrapes are present, however, these are not distracting. Slight central weakness with most peripheral details sharp.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of November 1968, Lot 861.
416 1848-C Net EF-45; sharpness of MS-60 with hairlines from cleaning. Bright greenish gold with moderate abrasions as often encountered. Very slight central weakness, however, generally sharp design definition. This issue is an important rarity in Mint State, and if this particular coin had not been cleaned, it would qualify as one of the very finest known.
From Stack’s sale of the Miles Collection, October 1968, Lot 412.
Lovely 1848-D Half Eagle
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417 1848-D AU-58 (PCGS). Bright greenish yellow gold with full satiny lustre. Few very light hairlines and abrasions are noted. Slightly weak on the eagle’s neck, otherwise very sharply struck. This is an important opportunity for the specialist, as are many lots in the present sale. Although 47,465 half eagles were recorded for the year, most survivors are well circulated with choice AU and Mint State examples of extreme rarity. Of just six examples certified as AU-58 or finer by PCGS, the Bass Collection yielded two such coins.
PCGS Population: 2; 4 finer (MS-62 finest).
Heavy obverse clash marks.
The date logotype for this variety is very interesting. The ball on the 8 is almost a hemisphere, perhaps indicating that in the matrix from which the logotype is made, the ball on the 9 was augmented by a separate punch; at a later time, it seems that the face of the figures were ground down, removing the hemispherical element to the ball of the 9 and making this and the other figures appear flat on the top surfaces.
From Stack’s 1971 ANA Sale, Lot 2177.
Scarce 1848-D Half Eagle
Heavy Obverse Clash Marks
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418 1848-D AU-50. Greenish yellow gold with moderate abrasions. Intriguing obverse and reverse clash marks may have some other source than this same half eagle design. See the discussion in Part II of the Bass Collection, Lot 995.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, July 1967.
419 1848-D EF-45. Bright greenish gold with extensive hairlines from heavy cleaning. Sharply detailed and still desirable. Actually, this piece is about average for a Dahlonega coin in this grade. Most of its contemporaries have been cleaned at one time or another, or have some problems. In some instances, coins with such problems are certified, and other instances they are excluded from certification.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of April 1969, Lot 245.
Scarce Mint State 1849 Half Eagle
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420 1849 MS-62. Satiny yellow gold lustre with a hint of orange toning. Minor abrasions and hairlines are noted, suggesting light cleaning at some time. Some central weakness is noted, especially among the eagle’s neck feathers. An important opportunity for the specialist.
Purchased from Julian Leidman, July 28, 1972.
421 1849 AU-58. Bright and frosty yellow gold lustre with very pleasing surfaces. Slight central weakness is typical of most examples of this design type. Very nearly full Mint State quality and surprisingly rare as such. A small rim mark is present at 11:00 on the obverse.
The obverse has a hole in the ear lobe, suggesting that Miss Liberty was wearing an earring. This hole is at the exact center of the design and served as a type of "center dot" for the layout of this die. Date logotype punched seemingly modified to give the surfaces flat higher areas and removing the hemispheric feature of the ball of the 9 noted on Lot 417.
From Stack’s sale of the Alto Collection, December 1970, Lot 176.
422 1849 Doubled 49. AU-50. Rich yellow gold with a hint of green. Considerable lustre remains in the protected areas around design details. Sharply struck with only a few very minor imperfections. An interesting recut date variety, described below.
The final two date digits are noticeably recut below, with the base and crossbar of 4 doubled and digit 9 completely doubled. Both punches are from the earlier version of the logotype, with the "hemispheric" ball on the 9, although not as prominent on the present piece due to the overlapping of the two impressions.
Purchased from the Goliad Corporation, December 16, 1971.
Outstanding Mint State 1849-C $5
Condition Census
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423 1849-C MS-62 (PCGS). Lustrous greenish yellow gold with very few marks of any type, save for a very fine diagonal scratch across the profile of Liberty—hardly noticeable (but without it, perhaps this piece would have been designated a notch or two higher in grade). Very sharply struck with minor weakness only on the eagle’s right leg. This is among the five or six finest known examples despite being the most available Mint State Charlotte Mint half eagle issue of the 1840s.
PCGS Population: 3; 3 finer (MS-64 finest).
Very faint obverse and reverse clash marks are noted. The reverse has a short die crack from the border to a leaf, passing through the upper left serif of U.
Logotype from early state of punch, with "hemispheric" knob to 9, etc.
From RARCOA’s 1970 ANA Sale, August 1970, Lot 1545.
Important 1849-D Half Eagle
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424 1849-D AU-58 (PCGS). Probably one of the top five or six known examples, despite the population reported below. Lustrous greenish gold with reflective, satiny fields. Minor abrasions are expected at this grade level. This issue is very sharply struck with considerable aesthetic appeal. A coin for the connoisseur.
Regarding this issue, Doug Winter noted: "The 1849-D half eagle is usually found in Very Fine to Extremely Fine grades. It is sometimes seen in About Uncirculated-50 but it is quite rare in any AU grade above this. In full Mint State, the 1849-D is a very rare coin." He listed just three Mint State examples in his census. One or two others likely exist.
PCGS Population: 5; 8 finer (MS-63 finest). Seven examples are listed as MS-62 and may represent only two or three different coins.
A very light die crack joins the tops of FIVE D. Impression from early four-digit logotype punch state.
Purchased from Douglas Weaver, August 1973.
Scarce 1849-D Half Eagle
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425 1849-D AU-50. Very light yellow gold with hairlines visible from cleaning. A pleasing example, just the same, and certain to delight the new owner. An above average example of this date, mint and grade.
Early logotype punch style.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, April 28, 1967.
Important Mint State 1850 Half Eagle
Tied for Finest Graded by PCGS
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426 1850 MS-62 (PCGS). Frosty, brilliant yellow gold with reflective fields, an attractive cameo example. A few minor hairlines and abrasions are noted. Generally very sharp design definition with slight weakness at the centers, especially on the eagle’s neck. Just 64,491 coins were struck with very few surviving in any Mint State grade. A scarce issue that is sure to capture the specialist’s attention. The reverse has a very minor planchet flaw at TE of UNITED.
PCGS Population: 3; none finer.
Date logotype low and left. This year the numerals are very widely spaced and are thin, quite unlike the style of any earlier half eagle.
From Stack’s sale of the Alto Collection, December 1970, Lot 179.
Rare Mint State 1850-C Half Eagle
Strong Mintmark
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427 1850-C MS-62 (PCGS). A wonderful example of this rarity, with frosty greenish gold lustre. Very sharply struck with full obverse and reverse design definition. Only a few very minor abrasions and hairlines are noted. From a mintage of 63,591 coins, however, only six to eight examples survive in Mint State. We estimate that this example is one of the top three or four coins in existence. A true showpiece for the connoisseur and specialist. Add to this the illustrious pedigree of having been in the DiBello Collection offered by Stack’s, and you have all the ingredients for a truly winning coin!
PCGS Population: 4; 2 finer (MS-64 finest).
Minor reverse die cracks are noted.
From Stack’s sale of the DiBello Collection, May 1970, Lot 882.
Scarce 1850-C Half Eagle
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428 1850-C AU-55 (PCGS). Light greenish yellow gold with exceptional surfaces. Lustre remains visible in the protected areas. Although a relatively common Charlotte Mint half eagle, this issue is seldom encountered in higher grades. An important opportunity to acquire this Strong Mintmark variety.
Perfect dies.
From Abe Kosoff’s sale of the Shuford Collection, April 1968, Lot 2038.
429 1850-D AU-55. Deep greenish gold with slight reflectivity visible despite having been cleaned. Moderately abraded surfaces. An opportunity for the budget-conscious collector, although to be frank, in the context of Dahlonega Mint issues this piece is closer to the middle than into the bottom. Harry W. Bass, Jr. probably acquired it because of its interesting die characteristics.
Mintmark slightly weak, however, still complete. The reverse has a die crack through the base of FIVE D., extending left through the tops of UNITED STATES. Date logotype punched very deeply into the working die, seemingly the rule rather than the exception for dies for this mint.
Purchased from Jack Klausen, June 19, 1968.
Lovely 1850-D $5
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430 1850-D AU-50 (PCGS). Attractive greenish yellow gold with subdued lustre in the fields. Considerable reflective surface is visible around devices. A few very minor hairlines and abrasions are noted. This is a scarce coin and survives from a mintage of 43,984. Large D mintmark is completely defined (on some known examples, the mintmark is quite weak, and occasionally all but invisible). Examples such as this, with sharply visible mintmark, carry a premium over other examples. Central and peripheral weakness is noted, as is a small scrape between numeral 1 and star 1.
Perfect dies.
From Stack’s sale of the Winter Collection, January-February 1974, Lot 646.
Choice Mint State 1851 Half Eagle
Tied for Finest Graded by PCGS
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431 1851 MS-63 (PCGS). Satiny yellow gold lustre with very few minor surface marks. Sharply struck save for very light central weakness. Although 377,505 coins were struck, only two or three dozen examples are known in Mint State. The present example is one of the very finest known of this issue.
PCGS Population: 5; none finer.
A lumpy die crack joins stars 2 and 3. Top surface of the date is not parallel to the fields, with the bottom of the date punched more deeply into the die than the top portion. Date logotype with large, "open," and fairly widely spaced numerals—in the style of 1850, but of no earlier year in the Coronet Head series.
From Stack’s 1976 ANA Sale, August 1976, Lot 2971.
432 1851-C Net EF-45; sharpness of AU-58, hairlined and scratched. Bright greenish gold with a few other minor abrasions. Very sharply struck with full obverse and reverse details and bold mintmark.
Light clash marks are visible on the reverse.
Date logotype impressed deeply into working die.
From Stack’s sale of the Alto Collection, December 1970, Lot 183.
Lustrous 1851-D Half Eagle
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433 1851-D AU-58 (PCGS). A lovely example of this scarce issue with superb yellow gold surfaces and virtually full lustre. Slight central weakness is noted on the hair curls below the coronet, on the eagle’s neck, and lower reverse design details. A few minor surface marks are noted. This is a very scarce issue which is quite elusive in higher grades, a true rarity when fully Mint State. As Douglas Winter has pointed out in his writings, there has been a grade escalation in recent years. The present piece is attractive enough that we would not be at all surprised if one of these times it emerged as "MS-60." In other words, right now it is a "high end" AU-58, in our opinion.
PCGS Population: 4; 6 finer (MS-63 finest).
Upper right curve of mintmark joins branch.
Purchased from the Goliad Corporation, January 26, 1973.
Lustrous 1851-D Half Eagle
Exceptional Strike
Bold Mintmark
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434 1851-D AU-53 (PCGS). Attractive yellow gold with a hint of green. Considerable lustre remains in the protected areas. This is very sharply struck, although slight central weakness is noted. The mintmark was deeply punched in the die and is bold and distinct.
Base of first digit in date overlaps dentils at left. Mintmark right of normal position, with upper right curve joined to branch stem.
Date logotype driven extremely deeply into the working die, giving the figures an altogether different appearance than that seen on the typical Philadelphia Mint 1851 half eagle—very interesting to view and contemplate when the two are side by side.
From Stack’s sale of the Miles Collection, October 1968, Lot 422.
Lovely 1851-O Half Eagle
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435 1851-O AU-58 (PCGS). Lustrous bright yellow gold with exceptional surfaces although two tiny vertical scratches are noted, one in each loop of digit 8. Typical central weakness is noted, as often seen on this issue. A rare variety with doubled first 1 in date.
The first digit 1 is sharply doubled, with the original position a half millimeter above the final placement, and merged in the bust.
From Paramount’s 1969 ANA Sale, August 1969, Lot 1925.
Lustrous 1851-O Half Eagle
Scarce in any Grade
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436 1851-O AU-50. Attractive yellow gold with light orange patina. Somewhat weak at upper obverse and lower reverse, typical of many Liberty half eagles from this mint. A few light handling marks are consistent with the grade. A very nice coin overall—an exemplary specimen of this date, mint, and grade. Total mintage for this issue was just 41,000 coins and this was the only New Orleans half eagle issue minted during the six year period from 1848 to 1853.
From Superior’s sale of the Gilhousen Collection, February 1973, Lot 418.
Desirable Mint State 1852 Half Eagle
From the Norweb Collection
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437 1852 MS-64 (PCGS). Although a relatively common issue, even in Mint State, examples reaching the MS-64 grade level are few and far between. In fact, none have been certified finer by PCGS. The mintage of 573,901 coins is among the largest in the series from 1839 to 1866. This figure is only exceeded by 1843, 1847, and 1861. Despite this figure, only 50 to 80 are estimated to survive in Mint State, and not over a dozen at this grade level or higher. Frosty light yellow gold with only a few scattered marks here and there. The connoisseur will wish to throw all caution to the wind and bid as liberally as possible—as an opportunity such as this may not recur for a long time.
PCGS Population: 6; none finer.
A faint die crack from star 1 joins bases of 185 and a prominent die line from the bottom edge of the bust extends left over 52.
From our sale of the Norweb Collection, October 1987, Lot 835.
Delightful 1852-C Half Eagle
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438 1852-C AU-55. Deep greenish gold with considerable reflective, prooflike surface in the fields. Usual central weakness is noted on the high points of Liberty and on the eagle’s neck. Moderately abraded as expected for the grade. Three small surface scrapes are noted, two in the obverse field and one between RI on the reverse. Although scarce, with a mintage of 72,574 coins, this issue is among the more affordable in the entire series, an ideal candidate for type collectors.
Date is tall and high in the field, with top of 1 touching the bust. Very faint die cracks connect certain letters on the reverse.
From Paramount’s 1969 ANA Sale, August 1969, Lot 1927.
439 1852-D AU-55 (PCGS). Lustrous light yellow gold with very minor surface marks. Central weakness is noted on the example, primarily on the highest hair curls and on the eagle’s neck. With a mintage of 91,584 coins and a relatively high survival rate, this is one of the more available Dahlonega Mint half eagles. However, it can be said that the present combination of high numerical grade and outstanding eye appeal is very special.
Two varieties of half eagle are briefly described by Douglas Winter. His variety 21-P has digit 1 in date touching bust, with mintmark joined to arrow feather. On his variety 22-Q, the digit 1 does not touch the bust truncation, and the mintmark is free of the feather.
The presently offered example appears to be a combination of obverse 22 and a reverse other than Q. The mintmark position does not exactly match Winter’s description. The top of both 1 and 2 are separated from the truncation, yet are each extremely close. The reverse has the mintmark touching the branch stem with the right edge over the center of E. The inside curve of the mintmark is minutely doubled.
A heavy vertical die line extends completely through the right side of the final S in STATES. This is not mentioned in the literature, and is a feature we do not recall seeing on other issues. Of course, this is also not a feature we have specifically looked for in the past!
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, February 1, 1972.
Another Attractive 1852-D Half Eagle
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440 1852-D AU-50. Light greenish gold with minor obverse hairlines. Typical strike with central obverse and reverse weakness. The reverse shows numerous circular brush marks. Nevertheless, an attractive example from this popular southern mint.
The obverse has artifacts around the digit 1, including an extra tiny serif above the main serif, and short horizontal lines beneath the base.
From Superior’s sale of the Gilhousen Collection, February 1973, Lot 422.
Choice Mint State 1853 Half Eagle
Tied for Finest Graded by PCGS
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441 1853 MS-63 (PCGS). Sharply struck with lustrous deep yellow gold surfaces. A few minor marks are noted, the only prominent mark being just above the eagle’s beak. This is a very important opportunity to acquire what may be one of the very finest known examples of the date. In a manuscript copy of Dave Bowers’ new gold series, he discusses this issue, providing an estimated Mint State population of 60 to 100 coins: "Plentiful in the context of early Coronet Head half eagles. Most are in lower grades, and any specimen meriting the descriptor choice is quite rare." The present piece offers an elegant combination of extremely high grade and unsurpassed pedigree.
PCGS Population: 5; none finer.
Large date logotype is approximately centered between bust truncation and border. A tiny raised artifact is just below center between 1 and 8. This has the appearance of a remnant from a misplaced digit 1. A prominent die line is located in the space between bottom right side of E and hair curls below. Minute raised die lines angle up to right, through upper left serif of B.
From our sale of the Norweb Collection, October 1987, Lot 837.
442 Selection of Liberty half eagles grading EF-45: I 1853 I 1854-O I 1855 I 1884-S I 1892 I 1892-S I 1893 I 1894-O I 1894-S I 1896-S I 1900-S I 1904-S. Highly lustrous and very attractive. The key date of its era, although largely unrecognized. A well-matched grouping with some lustre remaining. Another run of half eagles that will form or add to the nucleus of a specialized collection. (Total: 12 pieces)
Outstanding Mint State 1853-C $5
Prooflike Surfaces
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443 1853-C MS-61 (PCGS). This lovely half eagle has deep green-gold surfaces with virtually complete prooflike fields. Very sharply struck, even including the central design details. Minor surface abrasions are noted, and are expected on any coin of this grade level. Although all Charlotte and Dahlonega gold coins are elusive in Mint State, or are outright rarities, this is one of the more available issues in higher grades. As such, this coin is a logical choice for type collectors seeking a representative example from this North Carolina mint. The coin offered here is among the top 10% of all examples certified by PCGS.
Obverse and reverse have very fine, minute, die lines in various directions. A fine die crack from the border below V extends right through base of E, and continues intermittently to CA. Seemingly a fairly early impression from the die pair, despite the cracks.
From Stack’s sale of the Miles Collection, October 1968, Lot 428.
444 1853-C Net VF-35; sharpness of AU-50, harshly cleaned with numerous tiny hairlines. Bright greenish gold surfaces. Mintmark is weak but completely visible. A below average specimen that must have been purchased for some unrecorded reason—possibly to illustrate the light mintmark or the die state. We mention this, as it was purchased after higher grade pieces had been acquired, including the preceding lot.
From Lester Merkin’s sale of March 1969, Lot 260.
Lustrous 1853-D Half Eagle
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445 1853-D AU-58 (PCGS). Brilliant, satiny orange-gold lustre with a few microscopic hairlines and abrasions. Slight central weakness as normally encountered, however, still far above average in aesthetic quality. Of importance to the specialist are the peripheral details, including complete details of every star, except star 7 which is slightly weak. This is clearly the single most available Dahlonega Mint half eagle in any grade. The present piece has a rare combination of high grade and truly outstanding visual appeal—to see it is to love it! We expect that even the most seasoned Dahlonega Mint specialist will want to bid liberally to acquire this remarkable coin.
The three examples of this issue in the present sale are from three distinctly different reverse dies. The obverse die appears to be the same on all three coins. A heavy raised die polish line from the leading edge of the coronet passes left through two lower points of star 6 toward the border. This example is from Winter’s dies 23-Q. The mintmark is centered below the arrow feather.
Purchased from Stanley Kesselman, August 8, 1971.
