1848-D $5.00 NGC AU55

The 1848-D is not that rare a coin in lower grades but in properly graded AU55 and above it is actually one of the five scarcest half eagles from the Dahlonega mint. Nearly every known piece in higher grades is poorly struck, unoriginal or abraded (or all three!) and it is exceedingly difficult to find a sharply struck piece with good eye appeal. The present example is very well struck with no die lapping on the obverse or clashmarks. It shows flashes of luster in the protetced areas which are offset by rich lemon-gold hues on both sides. A few marks scattered here and there in the fields are consistent with the grade and this piece is really nice for the issue. The last AU55 examples to sell at auction were Stacks 3/09:5908 (encapsulated by NGC) that brought $4,888 and Heritage 11/07: 2027 (also an NGC coin) that sold for $3,594. Both were late die state coins with marginal eye appeal. If you collect Dahlonega half eagles, you are probably aware at how difficult it is to find examples of this date with good eye appeal.