IMPORTANT CONDITION CENSUS 1860-D HALF EAGLE GRADED MS63 BY NGC AND FRESH TO THE MARKET

Medium D mintmark; not attributed by NGC

There are an estimated 250-300+ examples of this date known, mostly in the EF45 to AU53. Around 12-15 exist in Uncirculated with best of these being three in NGC MS64. I sold a nice PCGS/CAC MS63+ to collector DL Hansen around five years ago which is the best 1860-D half eagle currently in a PCGS holder. There is a single MS64 still in the PCGS population but it is the Duke’s Creek coin which is in NGC plastic; also as MS64.

This coin is fresh to the market. I purchased it from a savvy wholesale dealer who spent more than a year trying to get it in the “right” holder; in his mind it grades NGC MS64. I don’t agree with this and I tried on a number of occasions to get the coin in a PCGS MS62 holder as this is the proper grade in my opinion.

This coin has a fiery glow which is what you want to see on a high grade Southern branch mint gold coin. Both sides show soft yellow-gold color and the luster is very strong, particularly on the reverse. As is common with this date, the strike is weak on the eagle’s head but the obverse center is actually very sharp. Some very light scuffs are seen in the left obverse field and to the right of the date while a bit of activity on the left (facing) horizontal stripes of the shield appear to be mint-made. The overall eye appeal is excellent for the grade.

The last auction appearance for the 1860-D half eagle in MS63 was in January 2010 when a PCGS example sold for $43,125. In the 2016 FUN auction, Heritage offered an NGC MS64 that brought $48,175 while another coin also graded MS64 by this service set a price record for the date when it hit the $74,750 mark in 8/2011.

NGC has graded two in MS63 with two finer (both MS64) while PCGS has graded one each in MS63, MS63+ and MS64.The PCGS Price guide suggests a value of $65,000 in MS63 while CDN suggest a value of $46,000 for this issue in MS63.

This is the first really significant Dahlonega half eagle that I’ve been able to offer so far in 2025 and it will make a great addition to a world-class set of D mint half eagles or for use in a high-end seven mint set.

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