1853-D $2.50 NGC AU58

One of just 3,178 examples struck and one of the scarcer issues in the Dahlonega quarter eagle series with fewer than 100 known to exist in all grades. This coin shows a good deal of "body" with unusual semi-prooflike fields on the obverse and, to a lesser extent, on the reverse. There is minimal wear seen below splashes of reddish-gold color and not much actual wear can be detected on the high spots. The only mark worthy of mention is a small obverse dig before the eighth star; the reverse is clean and choice. Weakness of strike at the lower portion of the devices on the reverse is commonly seen on this issue. This date is very rare in Uncirculated and with MS60 Trends at $17,000, the value of this nice slider example seems obvious to me.

1843 $2.50 NGC AU58

Despite the high original mintage figure of this date, it is scarce in higher grades. This lustrous, lightly worn example has rich yellow-gold color and is removed from consideration at a higher grade by the presence of a small obverse line at the right obverse.

1856-S $20.00 NGC AU53 CAC

This wholesome, original example shows no signs of seawater surface and has nice natural coloration on the obverse and reverse. There are just a few too many marks to grade this AU55 but it has better overall eye appeal than other pieces that I have seen in 55 holders.

CAC has approved two examples in this grade with sixteen finer.

1850-D $2.50 PCGS MS60 CAC

While not as widely regarded as its 1851-D and 1852-D quarter eagle counterparts, the 1850-D is a scarce issue in its own right, especially in higher grades. When I wrote the first edition of my Dahlonega book, I was aware of just one or two Uncirculated coins. Through the miracles of gradeflation, a few new Uncirculated coins have been "discovered" but I doubt if more than three to five Mint State coins are known with none finer than MS62. Although this coin is "only" an MS60, it has phenomenal eye appeal for the issue with lovely deep even honey-gold and greenish colors seen on the obverse and reverse. The strike is far above average for the issue with just minor weakness at the centers and, for the grade, there is less friction than one might expect. The best 1850-D quarter eagle that I am aware of is a PCGS MS62 that is ex Heritage 3/11: 4637 where it brought $27,600. Every other properly graded Uncirculated example of this date is off the market in a tightly-held collection, making this lovely example an important opportunity for the advanced Dahlonega gold collector.

1839-D $5.00 PCGS AU55 CAC

Variety 1, mintmark above the 3 in the date. The popular one-year type 1839-D is, along with the 1838-D and the 1861-D, the only half eagle from this mint with multiple levels of demand. By this, I mean that it is sought not only by Dahlonega specialists but by gold type collectors (and collectors of "neat coins") as well. This has pushed values up considerably for this issue in the last five or so years but I believe that there is more than enough demand to justify these new levels; not to mention a very limited supply of examples in any grade. I just sold a lovely PCGS AU58 1839-D half eagle a few weeks back and had many inquiries about that coin; the present piece is just about as choice. It shows natural medium yellow and greenish-gold colors at the centers framed by bands of reddish-gold at the rims with this color a bit stronger on the reverse. There is a good deal of luster for the grade and the detail is mostly sharp with just a touch of softness seen on the hair above the ear on the obverse. The last PCGS AU55 to trade at auction was ex Heritage 4/11: 5385 which brought $13,225. In my opinion, the current example is more original and more appealing for the grade. An important coin which is destined to reside in a connoisseur's set of Dahlonega half eagles.

This is one of two AU55 examples approved by CAC with one better. A total of six have been approved by CAC for the date.

1839-D $5.00 PCGS AU58

Variety 1. Mintmark directly over the top of the 3 in the date. This is the rarer of the two known varieties. Along with the 1838-D, the 1839-D is an important issue amongst Dahlonega half eagles as it is a one year type coin. The 1839-D is actually rarer than the 1838-D both in terms of overall and grade rarity. There are an estimated 200-225 known with as many as four dozen grading AU by today's standards. However, the great majority are in the AU50 to AU53 range and choice pieces are very rare. Only four to six are known in Uncirculated and the PCGS population of just three coins in AU58 should give a clear indication as to this coin's rarity in this grade. The present example is a highly lustrous slider with virtually no rub seen on the obverse and excellent overall detail for the issue. Both sides show some medium yellow-gold color and there are only a few light, scattered abrasions visible in the fields. The last APR for a PCGS AU58 1839-D half eagle was in May 2007 when Heritage sold a piece for $16,100; prior to this you have to go all the way back to October 1999 when the Bass II coin was sold for a reasonable $11,500.

1848-C $2.50 NGC EF40 CAC

Sharply struck for the date with none of the central weakness seen on many examples and nicely toned with rich reddish-gold and pale blue colors on the obverse and reverse. A visually pleasing coin and an affordable Charlotte quarter eagle that is perfect either for the new date collector or the type collector seeking a single affordable issue

1861-C $5.00 NGC EF40

For a number of reasons, the 1861-C is the most interesting half eagle struck at the Charlotte mint. It is the final issue from this facility with a small production of just 6,879 coins. But it is the fact that at least 887 were made after employees signed a Loyalty Oath to the Confederacy that makes it so intriguing. Unfortunately, there is an absolute way by which to determine which coins were made by the rebel minters. As a date, the 1861-C used to be held in nearly as high regard as the 1861-D half eagle but that issue now sells for a three to five time premium in EF and AU grades, I think the 1861-C is now hugely undervalued given its story and its scarcity. The example I am offering here is pleasing for the grade with natural russet shadings on the obverse and reverse. The surfaces are a bit "ticky" but these marks are common for the issue and are actually less detracting than is usual. I personally like this coin more than the NGC EF45 that Heritage just sold as Lot 5029 in their June auction for $7,188. It is interesting to note that only two EF40's have sold at auction since 1996 and the last, ANR 3/05: 704, brought $6,900.

1845-D $5.00 NGC AU58 CAC

A very attractive slider example with pleasing even medium reddish-gold colors on the obverse and the reverse. This tends to be a well-made issue and this coin is no exception with a very strong strike at the centers and borders. The surfaces are clean with just a few marks in back of the neck visible to the naked eye and the amount of actual wear is minimal. The 1845-D is one of the more available Dahlonega half eagles but choice, original AU58 pieces such as the present example are very scarce and I think they are good value when compared to the common dates from the 1852-1854 era. In Uncirculated, this date sells for $10,000 and up which makes a nice AU58 a very good value, in my opinion. This is a great type coin for the collector who would like to own a single choice Dahlonega half eagle.