ONE OF ONLY TWO GOLD STICKERED 1842-D SMALL DATE $5S

As per the most recent CAC population figures, there have been a total of 55 No Motto half eagles which have been gold stickered by CAC. Of these, 15 are Dahlonega issues. The individual breakdown is as follows:

• 1840-D: AU50; Total 1 coin

• 1842-D SD: EF40/45; Total 2 coins

• 1844-D: EF40; Total 1 coin

• 1846-D/D: EF40; Total 1 coin

• 1847-D: EF40; Total 1 coin

• 1848-D: EF40; Total 1 coin

• 1848-D/D: AU53; Total 1 coin

• 1849-D: EF45: Total 1 coin

• 1853-D: EF40; Total 1 coin

• 1854-D: EF45 + AU53; Total 2 coins

• 1856-D: EF40; Total 1 coin

• 1859-D: VF35; Total 1 coin

• 1861-D: AU50; Total 1 coin

I grade this coin a solid AU50 to AU53 with a significant amount of mint luster seen below splashes of very attractive natural reddish-gold color. The strike is sharp on both sides. There are a few small ticks on the obverse as well as a few on the reverse with the most noticeable of these appearing in the right field.

As a date, the 1842-D Small Date is far more available than its counterpart the 1842-D Large Date, which is the rarest half eagle from Dahlonega both in terms of overall and high grade rarity. It is not easily located with natural color and nice surfaces, and I would definitely rank this specific coin as being well above-average in all aspects; especially eye appeal.

In March 2023, a nice PCGS/CAC EF45 sold for $4,440, while a not-so-nice coin in the exact same grade sold for $4,560 in August 2022. In the same sale, a PCGS/CAC AU53 sold for $6,000, and a PCGS/CAC AU50 brought $7,200 in April 2022.

CAC has approved 12 in this grade with 21 finer. This does not include this coin which is the sole example awarded a Gold sticker. A total of 47 1842-D Small Date half eagles have been approved by CAC.

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