1052

1849-D $5 MS62 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1849-D $5 MS62 PCGS.
1849-D $5 MS62 PCGS. Variety 22-L. (per Doug Winter's second edition and revised attribution system). Centered date; high reverse mintmark that touches both the stem and the feather. This is one of three varieties known for this issue.RARITY INFORMATION: The 1849-D half eagle is a scarce and overlooked coin. There are approximately 125-150 pieces known and most grade from VF25 to XF45. Around two dozen AU coins exist and we can account for just four or five in Uncirculated. The finest is the PCGS MS63 in the Duke's Creek Collection. As of November 2003, the PCGS Population Report shows seven coins graded MS62 but we believe that this has been inflated by resubmissions and the actual number is more likely only three or four coins.STRIKE: Some weakness can be seen on the curls below BERT in LIBERTY, as often seen on 1849-D half eagles. The reverse is better struck than usual with some minor weakness seen on the arrow feathers and the eagle's claws. The overall quality of strike is definitely above average.SURFACES: There are hairlines on the obverse and reverse, indicating that this coin may have been lightly wiped many years ago. A few trivial marks are in the fields but these are much lighter than usual for this issue. There is no mint-made granularity as on many 1849-D half eagles.LUSTER: The luster is slightly reflective. Most 1849-D half eagles have poor luster and the few higher grade pieces that have been available in recent years are more frosty than prooflike in texture.COLORATION: At some point, after the Milas Collection was sold (see the pedigree information below) someone added orange-gold coloration to this coin in an attempt to conceal the light hairlines. This was performed with reasonably good skill and this coin still has a nice appearance.EYE APPEAL: This is a well struck example with good luster and a lack of detracting marks.COMPARABLES: The Bass IV: 419 coin, sold by Bowers and Merena in November 2000 and graded MS62 by PCGS, brought $18,400. The Heritage 1999 ANA: 7686 coin, sold in August 1999 and also graded MS62 by PCGS, brought $12,075.PEDIGREE: Ex: Doug Winter and William Miller Collection (Heritage, 2/99), lot 6266 ($19,800); New World Rarities; New York Gold Mart (Ron Karp); Numisma '95 (Stack's/RARCOA/Akers,11/95), lot 1464, where it brought $13,200; Winthrop Carner; Ed Milas Collection (Stack's, 5/95), lot 477, where it was hammered down for an impressive $18,700; Auction '84 (Stack's session, 8/84), lot 1341, where it realized $17,600; Arthur Montgomery Collection; Hancock and Harwell. This is the plate coin the second edition of the Winter book on Dahlonega gold and it is listed in the current Condition Census as tied for the second finest known. 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.