1861-D $5 MS62 NGC. Variety 39-EE....

Description

Radiant MS62 1861-D Half Eagle

1861-D $5 MS62 NGC. Variety 39-EE. The history of coinage at the gold-only Charlotte and Dahlonega Mints ends with the onset of the Civil War in 1861. In the latter facility's case, only one issue was struck before the state of Georgia seceded from the Union: the 1861-D half eagle, to the tune of 1,597 pieces. (The similarly famous 1861-D gold dollar was struck only after secession.) Doug Winter notes that the half eagle, like the gold dollar, was also struck under non-Union auspices; in his Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, he extrapolates from the gold dollar's experience and suggests a supplementary rebel-mintage of 1,000 to 2,000 pieces.
Whatever extra coins might have been struck did little to influence the date's overall rarity; as Winter declares, "The 1861-D is the rarest and most numismatically interesting half eagle struck at the Dahlonega Mint." A peculiarity of the date is that it is not the rarest in AU and better grades; the combined population figures of NGC and PCGS list 16 certification events in Mint State, though as with any high-profile issue, crossovers and resubmissions are a virtual certainty.
Similarly certain: This coin is going to be a cornerstone of the next collection that holds it. A chief virtue is the solid detail through Liberty's hair and the feathers of the eagle's neck. Peach-gold surfaces display bold radiance with a touch of watery luster at the margins. Light abrasions overall, none singularly mentionable; a planchet flaw through the IV in FIVE is the most distinctive pedigree marker. Census: 3 in 62, 1 finer (6/10).(Registry values: P6)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25VM, PCGS# 8290, GSID# 9038)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 8.36 grams
AGW: 0.24188oz
Mintage: 1,597

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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