1046

1844-D $5 MS63 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1844-D $5 MS63 PCGS.
1844-D $5 MS63 PCGS. Variety 11-H. (per Doug Winter's second edition and revised attribution system). Medium mintmark; reverse of 1843-D. The only variety of this year currently known.RARITY INFORMATION: The 1844-D is comparable in rarity to the 1843-D and 1845-D half eagles but it is a bit scarcer in high grades. There are 200-225 pieces known with 38-43 in AU and seven to nine in Uncirculated. The finest is a PCGS MS63 in the Duke's Creek collection that was formerly in the Pittman Collection. Most experts believe this coin is at least an MS64, if not better. The second best is a PCGS MS64 that was last sold in our August 1999 Chestatee Collection Auction. The Green Pond Collection is one of just two graded MS63 by PCGS (NGC has graded one) and it is the best specimen currently available. In addition, it has a long and illustrious pedigree (see below) that includes ownership by a number of important collectors.STRIKE: This date is usually seen with a good strike and the present example is very sharp. The obverse is completely detailed with even the hair curl below Liberty's ear totally struck up. The reverse is similarly sharp with strong feathers on the legs and wings as well as sharp claws.SURFACES: There are a few marks on the obverse that include three small, shallow planchet chips in the lower left field and a light scrape that runs diagonally alongside Liberty's nose. The reverse has a few scratches above and below the TED in UNITED that are very hard to see without magnification. Both sides have some scattered hairlines (not from cleaning). The surfaces are very nice overall.LUSTER: The luster is very good with a frosty texture. There is a bit of prooflike reflectivity around the portrait on the obverse.COLORATION: Medium orange-gold color on the obverse is accented by a splash of rich coppery-gold at the right. The reverse is an even medium orange-gold hue. This coloration appears to be original although it has deepened somewhat since it was photographed in the late 1970s for inclusion in the Akers' book on half eagles.EYE APPEAL: This is an extremely attractive coin. It is well struck, lightly marked and nicely toned, with original surfaces and a great appearance. It would make a wonderful high grade type coin.COMPARABLES: The Pittman I: 970 coin sold by David Akers in 1997 brought $52,250. It is now in a PCGS MS63 holder. In our 1999 ANA Sale of the Chestatee Collection, a PCGS MS64 was offered as lot 7676 and it realized $19,550.PEDIGREE: Purchased via Doug Winter from our January 2003 Ashland City Collection Sale (lot 4750) at $16,675; earlier Ex: Chestatee Collection/1999 ANA (Heritage, 8/99), lot 7675 ($13,800); Ed Milas Collection (Stack's, 5/95), lot 456, where it brought $25,300; Bareford Collection (Stack's, 12/78), lot 167 ($2,200). This is the plate coin in David Akers' book "United States Half Eagles 1795-1929" and it is illustrated on page 123. It is listed in the current Condition Census as being tied with one other coin as the third finest 1844-D half eagle. Important notice: Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Occasionally the auctioneer may eliminate or reject an eBay Live bid, and the auctioneer may also reopen a lot after the close of the eBay live bidding (usually because we missed an audience bid), and may reject your bid even if it shows you as the winning bidder. By bidding via eBay Live, you agree that Heritage may award the lot to another bidder at its sole discretion under the circumstances described above or any other reasonable circumstances. Also please note that all Heritage lots purchased through eBay Live carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions before you bid.