1853

1840 $5 MS65 NGC.From The Larj Collection. 1840[$5] MS65 NGC.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1840 $5 MS65 NGC.From The Larj Collection. 1840[$5] MS65 NGC.
<B>1840<$5> MS65 NGC.</B></I> Ex: Pittman. Diameter: 22.3 mm. An amazing example of the Broad Mill or Large Diameter coinage, with a pedigree to match. The diameter is within the tolerance for the older Classic Head standard of 22.5 mm. During the year, standard diameter was reduced to 21.6 mm., after which the narrow mill coins were minted. The newly reduced diameter remained standard for the rest of the half eagle series through 1929. The Philadelphia Mint produced 137,382 half eagles during the year, although the distribution between the two varieties is not specifically known. Eventually, it may be the case that population data from the grading service might be a good indicator of production percentages. For example, NGC has certified a total of 35 examples of this date that have been properly attributed (along with 204 unattributed examples). Of those 35 pieces so identified, 25 are the broad mill coins and 10 are the narrow mill coins. These totals approximate 70% and 30% respectively, suggesting that not quite 100,000 of these were the broad mill coins.<BR> The two finest examples of this type that we know of are this coin, and the Mills-Clapp-Eliasberg example. This is the only Gem 1840 half eagle certified by PCGS, and is accompanied by similar MS65 grading label from NGC. Regardless of the population data currently reported, we believe this Gem example is the second finest known. We are in full agreement with David Akers' description of this coin: "Very sharply struck with full mint luster, a broad inner border, and gorgeous copper tinged yellow gold color. There are traces of a prooflike surface around the head of Liberty, and light striations throughout the fields running diagonally from upper left to lower right. A few light contact marks and abrasions are noted in the fields, none serious. There are what appear to be light file marks on the broad border and rim from the 1st to 3rd stars, and also from the 9th to the 12th stars. It is difficult to say for sure, but perhaps the edge was lightly filed to remove a partial wire rim. There are several small reverse rim nicks and also signs of apparent filing of the rim on the upper reverse above and slightly to the left and right of STATES OF." Two things must be mentioned: first, the light filing of the rim was most likely done at the Mint when this coin was struck, and second, this filing is so faint has to be more reminiscent of light hairlines. Neither NGC or PCGS was concerned about these marks in the least, for they both certified this same coin as a Gem MS65 example.<BR><I>Ex: Col. E.H.R. Green; King Farouk (Sotheby's, 2/1954), part of lot 249; John Jay Pittman (David Akers, 10/1997), lot 947.</B></I><BR><I>From The Larj Collection.</B></I>