1793 1/2C PCGS AU55 CAC
Every now and then, DWN handles a great early copper coin and this 1793 half cent certainly qualifies as such. It is well struck on a hard, medium brown planchet. This is the first year of issue for this denomination and nice pieces of this caliber are very hard to locate.
1814/3 $5.00 NGC MS62 CAC
I’m not certain if I’ve ever handled a more attractive early gold coin than this. It has sensational deep orange-gold and coppery-reddish colors on the obverse and reverse. I consider this the “poster child” for originality when it comes to early gold.
1826 $2.50 PCGS AU55
This is one of the rarest early quarter eagles with only thirty or so known in all grades. The estimated mintage is just 760 pieces and only a handful are known in grades above AU55. This piece has nice color and surfaces and excellent overall detail.
1821 $5.00 PCGS AU53
With an estimated fifteen or so survivors, this is a classic early gold rarity. The present example, from the Globus Collection, is notable for superb deep original color and excellent detail. It is unlikely that a more attractive circulated 1821 half eagle exists!
1800 $5.00 PCGS AU53 CAC
BD-2, High Rarity-3. I find early gold with this sort of “look” to be absolutely irresistible and try to buy it whenever I see it. Unfortunately, I don’t see many early gold coins with this sort of look anymore and when I do, it is often in an auction environment when I have to compete against buyers who are likely to process the surfaces in an attempt to garner an upgrade.
1836 $5.00 NGC MS62 CAC
McCloskey 4-D. Second head, Large Date. As I’ve mentioned in the past, Classic Head gold is a favorite area of mine. In lower grades, the half eagles of this type are abundant but they become more and more scarce as you go up the grade ladder.
