2002 September Long Beach Signature Sale Sale #300 - Session 4

1840-C $5 XF45 NGC. An immensely popular issue among collectors, the 1840-C is the first Half Eagle produced with the mintmark on the reverse below th

1840-D $5 Narrow Mill--Cleaned--ANACS. Unc Details, Net AU50. The 1840-D is a scarce, first-year issue and is overlooked in high grades. Only 12-14 AU

1840-O $5 AU55 NGC. The New Orleans Mint delivered a total of 40,120 Half Eagles in this, its first year of production for the denomination. According

1841-C $5 MS60 PCGS. The fourth Half Eagle struck at the Charlotte Mint, the 1841-C was produced to the extent of just 21,467 pieces. Surprisingly, th

1841-D $5 Tall D--Tooled, Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. Winter 5-B. Breen estimated that just 4,105 pieces among the entire mintage of 29,392

1842-C $5 Small Date AU58 NGC. Winter 4-C, the only known dies. Die State I. The rarest collectible coin from the Charlotte Mint, the 1842-C Liberty H

1842-D $5 Large Date--Ex-Jewelry--ANACS. AU Details, Net VF30. The Large Date variety is considerably scarcer than the Small Date, and is further dist

1844 $5 AU58 NGC. Bright luster flows across the borders and devices. A pinscratch in the field near the nose of Liberty, but there are no obvious bag

1844-O $5--Damaged--ANACS. Unc Details, Net AU50. Well struck except for star 10 and the arrow feathers. The surfaces have the slightly porous appeara

1844-O $5 AU58 PCGS. While the 1844-O is the most frequently seen New Orleans Half Eagle, two die varieties are known. This is the scarcer of the two

1845-D $5 AU55 NGC. With a sizeable (by Dahlonega Mint standards) mintage of 90,629 pieces, the 1845-D is among the more easily obtainable D-mint Half

1845-D $5 MS62 NGC. Formerly offered as lot 6982 in our recent Central States Auction, where it was described as, "The '45-D is one of the ...

1846 $5 Small Date XF40 PCGS. Subdued luster radiates from portions of the legends and devices. A nicely detailed and relatively unabraded example. Br

1846-O $5 AU50 ICG. Although often compared to the 1845-O (41,000 pieces produced) in terms of overall rarity, the 1846-O is a rarer coin, this despit

1847 $5 MS62 ICG. Produced in generous numbers for the era, the 1847 is the most common Half Eagle from the 1840s. It is also one of the four or five

1848 $5 AU58 PCGS. This is a remarkably eye-appealing piece despite having seen actual circulation. The strike is sharp throughout, and the contact ma

1848-C $5 VF35 NGC. A bright example that is typically struck and moderately abraded. A scarce issue relative to its mintage, and always in demand fro

1848-C $5 AU55 NGC. Of the 64,472 pieces produced of this issue, only 145-155 are believed known today in all grades. Most of these survivors grade XF

1848-D $5--Scratched--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. Winter 15-J. The obverse has been cleaned and has numerous faint pinscratches, while the reverse ha

1849-C $5 AU58 PCGS. The 1849-C was produced to the extent of just 64,823 pieces. Nevertheless, it is the most readily obtainable C-mint Half Eagle pr

1849-D $5 AU55 ICG. The 1848-D and 1849-D are two of the more underappreciated rarities among D-mint Half Eagles. Both issues are tied for tenth rares

1850-C $5 Weak C VF20 PCGS. A glass will be needed to see it, but the outline of the mintmark is unmistakable below the intersection of the arrow feat

1851-D $5 Weak D AU55 NGC. Formerly sold as lot 720 in the Walter Childs Collection, where it was described in part as, "Bright greenish gold l...

1852-D $5--Ex-Jewelry--ANACS. AU Details, Net VF20. A mount has been removed near 9 o'clock on the reverse, with the nearby wing and field crude...

1852-D $5 AU58 PCGS. The 1852-D has the second largest mintage among Dahlonega Fives with 91,584 pieces struck. As a result, examples are more often a

1853-C $5 AU50 ICG. A scarce D-mint five that is much more elusive than its mintage of 65,571 would suggest. Most survivors are VF or XF at best with

1854 $5 MS61 NGC. Liberty's ear and nearby hair curl are die doubled with a wide spread. Only the obverse center is doubled, similar to the Bree...

1854-D $5 MS63 NGC. Formerly offered as lot 6997 in our Central States Auction in April of this year, where it was described as, "The 1854-D is...

1855 $5 MS64 PCGS. The final digits in the date show a definite slant, the subject of an interesting presentation at the ANA's Numismatic Theatr...

1855-C $5 AU50 ICG. This is one of the more attractive AU 1855-C Half Eagles that this cataloger has seen. The strike is well above average for a C-mi

1855-C $5 AU55 ICG. Formerly offered as lot 8131 in our January 2002 FUN Sale, where it was described as, "This C-mint Half Eagle owes its rari...

1855-D $5 AU55 ICG. Of the 22,432 pieces produced in 1855, it is estimated that today only 95-105 coins are extant in all grades, most of which are in

1856-C $5 XF40 NGC. Typically abraded for the grade with some harder hits on the reverse. Honey-gold in color, the surfaces display light, even wear t

1856-C $5 AU55 ICG. Formerly offered as lot 8137 in our FUN Sale in January, where it was described as, "A date most difficult to find in such ...

1856-O $5 AU55 PCGS. The 1856-O and 1892-O are tied for lowest mintage honors among New Orleans Mint Half Eagles with just 10,000 coins produced each

1856-S $5 AU55 NGC. A bold example that has abundant rose-gold luster, and little if any rub on the devices. There aren't any notable abrasions ...

1857 $5 MS64 ICG. The Philadelphia Mint's output of 98,188 Half Eagles in 1857 is generous for the era, but this issue is an underrated conditio...

1857-S $5 AU55 NGC. Well struck except for the arrow feathers. Relatively unabraded with much luster, but the obverse is very faintly porous. Better d

1859 $5 AU58 PCGS. Except for the 1850, the 1859 is scarcer than any other P-mint Half Eagle dated 1843-1859. The few pieces that have survived are ge

1860-D $5 AU58 NGC. Ex: Pittman. Offered as lot 1025 in Pittman I, where it was described as, "Sharply struck with light to medium orange gold ...

1861 $5 AU58 NGC. A well struck representative that has abundant pale luster across the borders and devices. A lack of mentionable abrasions improves

1861 $5 MS62 ICG. In the wider context of U.S. numismatics, the 1861 is a conditionally challenging coin that becomes more difficult to locate the hig

1861-C $5 AU50 PCGS. The 1861-C is one of the most respected, historic, and romantic coins struck in the 19th century. Only 6,879 pieces were produced

1861-S $5 AU58 NGC. The Philadelphia Mint delivered two 1861-dated obverse dies to the San Francisco Mint in November 1860, followed by a third in Jun

1864 $5--Damaged, Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net VF30. Harshly cleaned with unnatural color and scattered minor abrasions on the neck and left obvers

1865 $5 AU55 NGC. Since gold specie payments were suspended at the end of 1861, it is little wonder that the Philadelphia Mint limited Half Eagle prod

1866-S $5 No Motto--Cleaned--ANACS. AU Details, Net XF40. The 1866-S is a scarce No Motto Half Eagle. Only 9,000 pieces were struck in this final year

1869-S $5 AU58 NGC. A significant condition rarity, most extant 1869-S Fives grade no finer than VF. Warm golden-rose accents dance across the otherwi

1870 $5 AU58 NGC. The 1870 is often compared to the previous year's emission from Philadelphia, even though more than twice as many coins were p...

1871-S $5 XF45 NGC. A scarcer S-mint issue and seldom seen any finer than XF. A bit weakly struck, each side shows rich reddish-coppery accents of col

1872 $5 AU55 PCGS. The 1872 Half Eagle had an original mintage of only 1,660 business strikes. Not surprisingly, it is rare in all grades with most of

1872-CC $5 Fine 12 ANACS. The eagle has pleasing plumage detail for the grade, while the portrait has the expected heavy wear. Liberty's chin ha...

1872-S $5 AU55 PCGS. This frontier-era Half Eagle was not preserved in quantity at the time of issue. Rather, virtually all of the 36,400 pieces produ

1873-CC $5 Good 6 ANACS. Douglas Winter considers the 1873-CC to be the second rarest Carson City Half Eagle issue, and very close in rarity with the

1874-S $5 AU50 PCGS. A bright example that has considerable luster and very little rub. The strike is sharp except for modest weakness as often seen o

1874-S $5 AU53 PCGS. A clearly original example that has intermingled olive-gold and honey-gold color. The stars are well struck, with above average d

1878-S $5 AU55 NGC, two examples, both have ample peripheral luster, one has rose patina on the reverse; and an 1878-S AU55 PCGS, lustrous at the marg

1878-S $5 MS61 NGC. A sharply struck representative with abundant bright luster and relatively clean surfaces for this often abraded grade. A scarce i

1879 $5 AU58 PCGS. Virtually complete luster with a light coating of coppery patina that effective obscures most of the contact marks. A long scratch

1879-CC $5 XF40 ANACS. The devices are somewhat softly struck, but the stars have complete centril definition. Both sides have hints of flashy mint lu

1879-CC $5 AU50 NGC. The 1879-CC seems to have been produced in much the same manner as the 1878-CC, since both issues typically display softness of s

1879-S $5 MS61 NGC. A sharply struck Half Eagle with extensive luster and lightly abraded fields. Although not a low mintage issue, the 1879-S is elus

1879-S $5 MS61 NGC. A sharply struck coin that has good luster. Orange-gold in color, with no mentionable abrasions. The mintmark is filled and in hig

1879-S $5 MS63 PCGS. A lustrous and boldly struck Half Eagle that has orange-gold color. The obverse field has a few unimportant abrasions, and Libert

1880-CC $5 AU50 NGC. The 1880-CC is a high mintage issue with 51,107 pieces produced, making it an excellent choice for a CC type coin. This piece sho

1880-S $5 MS63 PCGS. Sharply defined with bright, swirling luster. A few scattered contact marks require a very close examination to find. This is a s

1881 $5 MS63 NGC. A lustrous and nicely struck example of this often seen issue. The portrait is virtually unabraded, and has good eye appeal. Importa

1881-S $5--Scratched--ANACS, Unc Details, Net AU55, a flashy but somewhat abraded example that has scratches above and to the right of the date; 1883-

1882 $5 MS63 NGC. A lustrous coin with a sharp strike and relatively clean surfaces. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of

1882 $5 MS64 NGC. Fully struck with rich reddish tinged, lustrous surfaces. A few small abrasions are scattered over each side but none are of singula

1883-S $5 MS63 NGC. A conditionally scarce issue in Mint State with only six other pieces so graded by NGC with one finer (4/02). Sharply struck with

1884 $5 AU58 NGC, two examples, both of which have extensive bright luster across the legends and devices. Actually somewhat scarce in this grade, esp

1884 $5 AU58 NGC. The fields and devices show the effects of light circulation, and scrapes in the obverse field and a dent in Liberty's coiffur...

1884 $5 MS60 NGC. Only lightly abraded for the grade, with extensive bright luster and a good strike. A scarce issue in Mint State grades. Important n

1885 $5 MS63 ICG. A lustrous and sharply struck representative that has bright orange-gold color. The obverse field has only the faintest luster graze

1886-S $5 MS63 PCGS. Well struck and lustrous with gorgeous surfaces. Not a rare issue, but certainly attractive. An older holder example that appears

1886-S $5 MS64 PCGS. The smooth, creamy mint luster of this near Gem is barely interrupted by a few minute abrasions, all of which are well hidden by

1888-S $5 MS62 PCGS. A well struck and flashy example with excellent eye appeal due its relatively unabraded surfaces. While this underrated issue is

1891-CC $5 MS63 PCGS. Generally considered a common CC issue, the 1891-CC is actually quite scarce in strict Uncirculated condition. This piece is ful

1892 $5 MS64 NGC. Well struck except for the arrow feathers. A bright and lustrous near-Gem with an especially clean reverse. Population: 43 in 64, 9

1892-CC $5 AU50 ANACS. An attractive example of this common Carson City Half Eagle. Numerous light abrasions are scattered over each side, as expected

1892-CC $5 AU58 PCGS. A well struck coin with bright luster at the margins and crisp details on the devices and stars. Only 82,968 pieces were struck,

1893-CC $5 AU58 ANACS. A lustrous example that has hints of ruby-red color at the margins. The cheek is seemingly pristine, while the fields have only

1893-CC $5 AU58 ANACS. A modestly circulated example of the final year in which the Half Eagle was struck at the Carson City Mint. Hints of orange-gol

1894 $5 MS64 PCGS. A lustrous near-Gem with a gorgeously preserved reverse, while the obverse also has a clean surface. A faint grease streak (as stru

1894-O $5 MS61 PCGS. Bright yellow-gold surfaces, with the reverse showing a moderate amount of reflectivity. Far fewer contacts marks than expected f

1894-S $5 AU55 NGC. The devices and legends are bathed in orange-gold luster. The eye appeal is good for the grade, as there are no mentionable abrasi

1895 $5 MS63 NGC. Formerly offered as lot 1547 in our recent New York Bullet Sale, where it was described as, "A well struck and relatively una...

1895 $5 MS64 NGC. A well struck Half Eagle with rich honey-gold patina and just a few faint luster grazes in the fields. Important notice: We expect t

1895-S $5 MS66 NGC. It was David Akers who alerted gold collectors some 25 years ago to the rarity of 1895-S Half Eagles. At that time he wrote, &qu...

1897 $5 MS65 NGC. Closed 9 in date, entered low with the 1 much closer to the denticles than the bust. A lustrous Gem that is well struck on the major

1897-S $5 MS61 NGC. A well struck example that has abundant bright luster on each side. Scarce in Mint State. Population: 24 in 61, 22 finer (7/02). I

1898 $5 MS64 NGC. A lustrous near-Gem that is well struck except for the second star. A wispy die crack (as struck) travels from the rim through the s

1898-S $5 MS64 NGC. A well struck near-Gem with good luster and an absence of individually discernible abrasions. The left half of the reverse has a t

1899 $5 MS60 NGC, lustrous and not too badly abraded but with occasional purple debris; 1899 MS60 NGC, clean for the grade with full luster; and a 190

1900 $5 MS60 Cleaned Uncertified. Both sides are sharply struck with no bothersome abrasions. The surfaces, however, are subdued from the cleaning, ye

1900 $5 MS64 PCGS. A lustrous near-gem specimen, satiny in appearance with a bit of coppery color.. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots

1900-S $5 MS64 PCGS. The surfaces have attractive blushes of honey-gold color. A razor-sharp near-Gem with exquisite preservation and rich luster. An

1901/0-S $5 MS61 PCGS. The fields have bright lemon-gold color. Well struck and only lightly abraded. A flashy representative of this popular overdate

1901-S $5 MS64 PCGS. Fully struck and amazingly free from abrasions with just a hint of pale lilac patina on the lower reverse. Important notice: We e