1859-C $5 MS63 NGC....

Description

Coveted MS63 1859-C Half Eagle

1859-C $5 MS63 NGC. Variety 1, the only known die pair for the 1859-C half eagle. The 1859-C is merely very scarce in circulated grades, but emerges as a significant rarity in Mint State. Grading these coins is a challenge, due to the physical characteristics. The reverse is always weak, due to a poorly prepared reverse die. It seems that the hub failed to make a complete impression. Perhaps the die was only hubbed once, instead of twice. Maybe it was improperly annealed. Whatever the reason, the soft appearance of the die was transferred to each coin struck from it.
In his Charlotte gold book, Doug Winter traces just five Mint State examples of the 1859-C half eagle. The five coins include:
--the Eliasberg coin, now MS66 PCGS and far finer than any other; --the "Elrod Duplicate," MS63 NGC;
--the North Georgia Collection MS62 PCGS;
--the Pittman coin, MS62 NGC;
--and the Winter plate coin, MS60 PCGS.

The present piece may be one of the five or is, perhaps, a new appearance. As the single finest example that NGC has certified, it is likely that this coin is the "Elrod Duplicate" specimen.
The obverse has impressive green-gold color, with traces of faint blue accents. The reverse is similar, with slight orange tendencies. The design elements are essentially full, except for slight weakness as described on the reverse. This is one of the finest specimens to come on the market, and it should receive considerable bidding activity.
Ex: Heritage (8/2008), lot 23681, which realized $34,500.
From The Bay State Collection, Part Two.(Registry values: P4)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25VC, PCGS# 8281, GSID# 9029)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 8.36 grams
AGW: 0.24188oz
Mintage: 31,847

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.

View all of [The Bay State Collection, Part Two ]

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