1859-D $5 Medium D MS61 NGC....

Description

Challenging 1859-D Half Eagle, MS61

1859-D $5 Medium D MS61 NGC. Variety 36-CC. The 1859-D Liberty Head, No Motto half eagle has the second lowest mintage in the Dahlonega half eagle series. The meager total of 10,366 pieces is smaller than any issue except the famous 1861-D. From this small initial population, Doug Winter estimates 120-140 examples survive today in all grades. Most examples seen are in XF grades, with AU coins rare. To quote Winter in Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint 1838-1861, "In full Mint State, the 1859-D half eagle is extremely rare." He believes only seven or eight coins exist in Mint State grades. The population data from third-party grading services suggests a slightly higher number of Uncirculated survivors, but the figures may be skewed by resubmissions. NGC has certified three coins at the MS61 level, with nine finer (12/08).
An early auction appearance of this issue was in the James Ten Eyck Collection (Mehl, 5/1922), lot 225. Mehl described the coin in glowing terms, "1859 Dahlonega Mint. Magnificent uncirculated specimen of this rarity. Sharp, with bright mint luster. By far the finest I have ever seen." Mehl was given to hyperbole, but that coin must have been one of the finest examples struck. The typical 1859-D half eagle exhibits a weak central strike, with rough surfaces, and below average luster. This particular piece shows the usual softness in the centers. The fields are bright and semiprooflike, and the surfaces are minimally abraded for the grade.
From The Grand Lake Collection.(Registry values: P3)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25VD, PCGS# 8282, Greysheet# 9030)

Weight: 8.36 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

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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