1839-C $5 MS62 PCGS....

Description

Top-Notch 1839-C Half Eagle, MS62
The Garrett Collection Example
Among the Last Designs of Christian Gobrecht?

1839-C $5 MS62 PCGS. Ex: Garrett. Only a single die pair was required to strike the 1839-C half eagles, in an amount of 17,205 pieces. The 1839-C half eagles form a one-year type along with their Dahlonega cousins, the only Liberty Head fives with the Obverse Mintmark motif. (The 1838 branch mint half eagles are also a one-year type, with the Classic Head Obverse Mintmark style.) But notice that the portrait of Liberty and subtle details of the reverse eagle design on the 1839-dated coins also differ from the 1840-dated pieces.
Numismatic researcher John Dannreuther has written a thought-provoking article published in 2009 on the PCGS website, titled "Robert Ball Hughes: More Than a Coin Designer?" Dannreuther believes that the 1839 half eagle designs were among the last of Christian Gobrecht.
It was certainly not hyperbole to call this piece one of the finest known 1839-C half eagles, although we believe the MS62 grade is accurate. The surfaces show a deep reddish-orange color with minor hints of lilac, and the portrait shows accents of lighter golden-yellow. The luster thins slightly in the fields, but there is no trace of surface friction. The reverse is remarkably well-struck, and the central obverse as well, although some of the stars ringing the obverse rim are incomplete. Population: 2 in 62, 3 finer (11/12).
Ex: Garrett Collection Part I (Bowers and Ruddy, 11/1979), lot 480.(Registry values: P5)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25S8, PCGS# 8192, Greysheet# 8955)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 8.36 grams
AGW: 0.27oz
Mintage: 17,205

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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