6950

1855-D $5 Large D MS64 NGC. Large mintmark. Varie

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1855-D $5 Large D MS64 NGC. Large mintmark. Varie
<B>1855-D $5 Large D MS64 NGC.</B></I> Large mintmark. Variety 32-AA. (per Doug Winter's second edition and revised attribution system). This is the more common of the two varieties known for this year. The other, Variety 32-W, has a medium mintmark that was first used in 1854.<BR> The 1855-D is the fifth rarest Dahlonega Half Eagle in higher grades. Of the 125-150 pieces known, only two dozen or so grade AU, while another four or five exist in Uncirculated. The finest is a seriously undergraded PCGS MS61 in the Duke's Creek Collection that is notable for its superb color and originality. The Green Pond Collection coin is the highest graded by PCGS as of November, 2004 and it is one of just four 1855-D Half Eagles in any Mint State grade recorded by PCGS (63, 62 and two 61s).<BR> Many 1855-D Half Eagles are very weakly struck. This piece has some weakness in the centers but is still much sharper than usually encountered. On the obverse, the curls behind the ear are weak and this corresponds to the same area on the reverse. As always, the stars at the right look smaller and more delicate than those on the left. This is probably the result of die lapping. There are some scattered marks in the obverse and reverse fields that are not overly detracting. A vertical mark is visible on Liberty's jaw and a grease stain is visible from the left (facing) talon toward the V in FIVE. The fields are much cleaner than usual. This coin has excellent luster that is satiny on the obverse and more frosty on the reverse. Both sides have rich yellow-gold color and a fully brilliant appearance. This is an outstanding coin that is clearly in the lead as the finest 1855-D Half Eagle.