1058

1855-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
1855-D $5 MS63 PCGS.
1855-D $5 MS63 PCGS. 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.RARITY INFORMATION: 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 2003 and it is one of just four 1855-D half eagles in any Mint State grade recorded by PCGS (63, 62 and two 61).STRIKE: 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.SURFACES: There are some scattered marks in the obverse and reverse fields that are not detracting. There are two small copper spots in the left obverse field and a small reverse drift mark from the left (facing) talon toward the V in FIVE. The surfaces are much cleaner than usual.LUSTER: This coin has excellent luster that is satiny on the obverse and more frosty on the reverse. Most 1855-D half eagles have been cleaned or dipped and a piece like this with original surfaces is extremely elusive.COLORATION: Both sides have rich yellow-gold color that is accented by splashes of deep orange-gold. This color is very attractive and we cannot recall seeing many other 1855-D half eagles that showed such rich hues.EYE APPEAL: This is an outstanding coin that is clearly the second finest 1855-D half eagle. It shows an acceptable strike and has great luster and color.COMPARABLES: In our January 2003 Ashland City Collection, we sold a PCGS MS62 as lot 4790 for $14,950. In their September 1999 auction, the Goldbergs sold an NGC MS62 as lot 1755 for $18,975.PEDIGREE: Obtained from Hancock and Harwell in June 2000; earlier Ex: Chestatee Collection/Heritage 1999 ANA, where it brought $35,650; unknown dealer(s); Ed Milas Collection (Stack's 5/95), lot 497, ($35,200); Winthrop Carner; J.J. Teaparty. This is the plate coin in the second edition of the Winter book on Dahlonega gold and it is listed in the current Condition Census as the second finest known 1855-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.