1849 $10.00 NGC MS61

As with most No Motto Philadelphia eagles from this era, the 1849 is common in circulated grades but rare in Uncirculated and nearly unobtainable above MS62 to MS63. This piece is really choice for the grade with no luster breaks in the fields and an absence of rubbing on the high spots. The surfaces are clean with just a few small, scattered marks and the luster is frosty with a slightly different texture seen surrounding the devices on both sides. As is typical for this date, there is some minor weakness of strike at the centers. There is a huge price jump for this date as you go higher up the grading ladder and this makes a nice MS61 coin like this a very good value, in my opinion.

1849 $5.00 PCGS MS62

Normal Date variety. At first glimpse, this impressive ultra-flashy coin has the appearance of a borderline gem but as it is tilted towards the light, some friction can be seen in the left obverse field. The high spots are free of wear and the surfaces are free of deep, problematic abrasions. A light yellow-gold hue adds appeal and the strike is razor sharp. The 1849 half eagle is common in all circulated grades and only moderately scarce in MS60 to MS61. But it is rare in MS62, very rare in MS63 and there is just a single piece that I have ever seen in MS64: Heritage 7/09: 1509 which sold for $16,100. PCGS has only graded three in MS62 with none better. There have been just eight auction records for 1849 half eagles in this grade since 1991 and a PCGS MS62 brought $4,830 all the way back in 1999 at the Bass II sale.