1065

1861-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
1861-D $5 MS62 PCGS.
1861-D $5 MS62 PCGS. Variety 39-EE. (per Doug Winter's second edition and revised attribution system). Reverse of 1860 with a medium mintmark. This is the only variety known for this year.RARITY INFORMATION: The 1861-D is the rarest and most popular Dahlonega half eagle. Somewhere between 2,500 and 3,500 pieces were produced of which just 65-75 are known today. In high grades, the 1861-D is a bit more available than one might assume, possibly because a small number were saved as souvenirs. We are aware of seven to nine pieces that grade Uncirculated. The two finest are graded MS63 by PCGS and each is in the Duke's Creek Collection. The Green Pond coin is tied with two others as the third finest known and it is unquestionably the finest 1861-D half eagle to be offered at public auction in a number of years. We regard this as one of the most important coins in this collection and expect it to bring a strong high five-figure price.Sometime between January and April 1861, a total of 1,597 1861-D half eagles were produced. These are probably identifiable by their better quality of strike and proper alignment of the dies. On April 8, 1861 the Dahlonega mint was seized and after this date an additional 1,000-2,000 coins were produced by the Confederacy. It is likely that these can be identified by their more crude appearance and poorly aligned dies.STRIKE: 1861-D half eagles are found with two types of strike. The so-called "Confederate issue" was produced using poorly aligned dies and is seen with considerable weakness. The "Union issue" is much better produced. The Green Pond example has exceptional detail. Other than some minor weakness on the curls below ER in LIBERTY, the hair is extremely sharp. Each star shows full radial lines and the obverse denticles are clearly separated. The reverse is also very sharp. There is some minor weakness on the eagle's left wingtip and left talon with the rest of the detail completely defined.SURFACES: There are a few very fine hairlines (not from cleaning) visible on the obverse, a few tiny nicks in the left field, and a small mark between stars 5 and 6. The reverse is clean and very choice. Unlike nearly every known 1861-D half eagle, this piece is totally original. In addition it is not heavily abraded, as usually seen.LUSTER: The luster is excellent with a lovely frosty texture on both sides. This is one of just a handful of 1861-D half eagles that has not been cleaned or processed and it is very desirable as such.COLORATION: The coloration is completely original and very attractive with medium orange-gold and rose hues. For those potential bidders who are scared by King Farouk's previous ownership of this coin (see pedigree information below) this is one piece from this collection that was not cleaned.EYE APPEAL: This is a superb example of this important issue. It is well struck, very attractively toned and lustrous, and has choice surfaces. The combination of great eye appeal, strong historic associations, and an impressive pedigree makes it one of the most desirable Dahlonega half eagles in existence.COMPARABLES: In their January 2003 Rarities Sale, Bowers and Merena sold a PCGS MS61 as lot 674 for $55,200. That coin had previously been in the Green Pond Collection, and it was replaced by the superior PCGS MS62 that is now being offered for sale.PEDIGREE: Obtained from Doug Winter and Lee Minshull in November 1999. Earlier Ex: Harry Bass II (Bowers and Merena, 10/99), lot 1137, where it brought $48,300; Norweb I (Bowers and Merena, 10/87), lot 868, where it realized $48,400; The Palace Collection/King Farouk (Sotheby's, 6/54), lot 254. This is the plate coin the second edition of the Winter book on Dahlonega gold. It is listed in the current Condition Census as being tied with two other coins as the third finest known 1861-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.