1841 $5.00 NGC MS64*

Early date Liberty Head half eagles just aren't supposed to look like this...but if you do want a No Motto example of this type with wonderful eye appeal, than the 1841 is a great choice. Not only is this date typically well made, there was a small hoard at one time (maybe eight to ten coins?) that grade MS64 to MS65 by today's standards and which are notable for their fantastic appearance(s). The present example is amazingly flashy with blazing frosty/semiprooflike hybrid luster and full cameo contrast on the obverse. There is a small cluster of marks behind the eagle's head that keeps this from grading MS65 but the eye appeal, as I mentioned above, is suggestive of a full 65. The first Gem that I can recall seeing of this date was the Milas: 439 coin (graded MS65 by NGC) that sold for $34,100 all the way back in 1995. Since then, other nice pieces have sold in the $20,000 range including two in the Bass sales (1999 and 2000) graded MS64 by PCGS. A stunning coin that would work well in nearly any type set of mid-19th century United States gold.

Note: The NGC and PCGS population figures for this date are well inflated due to resubmissions.

1841 $5.00 NGC AU58 CAC

ANS Museum Pedigree. This early date No Motto half eagle is not really a rare date but it is seen far less often than any other Philadelphia half eagle from this decade except for the 1842. The 1841 half eagle is unquestionably scarce in the higher AU grades and it is very hard to find with original color and surfaces. This beautiful piece has dark, even green-gold color with some underlying reddish-orange shadings that are made more intense by the remaining luster. There is a considerable amount of dirt in the protected areas, especially on the reverse. This is the nicest circulated 1841 half eagle that I can recall having seen. It is the only AU58 example of this date accorded approval by CAC with just one better piece having been stickered.

Ex Stack's 1/11/07: 2048, ANS Collection duplicates

1841 $10.00 NGC AU50

A nice, fresh deeply toned example with attractive green-gold color that is contrasted by russet hues in the protected areas. This coin has enough "body" to grade AU55 but it is a bit abraded, as is typical for the issue. The 1841 eagle is not a common date. It is mostly seen in VF-EF and it is undervalued in the lower AU grades. In Uncirculated, this date is very rare. With common date Liberty Head eagles in AU now trading for close to $1,000, a genuinely scarce date like the 1841 at such a small premium seems like exceptional value to me.