1847-O $5.00 NGC VF25 CAC
While extensively worn, this piece is completely problem-free and it shows excellent detail. The surfaces are smooth and the color is a pleasing rich natural green-gold. The 1847-O is the rarest New Orleans half eagle both in terms of overall and high grade rarity. Most of the lower grade pieces that I have seen have no eye appeal to speak of and the fact that this is such a good looking original coin makes it both unusual and highly desirable. If you dabble in New Orleans gold you know how unusual an opportunity it is to find an affordable 1847-O half eagle, let alone a good looking coin. To date, this is the only 1847-O in any grade that has been approved by CAC.
1867 $10.00 NGC PR64* UCAM CAC
One of 50 struck. As with most Proof eagles of this era, the survival rate is low and it seems likely that no more than 7 or 8 examples are known. This NGC PR64DCAM piece is outstanding for the grade with strong cameo contrast and choice, vibrant fields. A few minor hairlines in the right obverse field narrowly preclude a higher grade but I have seen common date Proof Liberty Head eagles in 65 holders that lacked this coin’s wonderful eye appeal and had more hairlines and/or planchet issues.
1872-CC $5.00 NGC AU58 CAC
The 1872-CC remains one of the two Carson City half eagles that is unknown in Uncirculated (the other is the 1878-CC). Despite gradeflation and the sale of some high quality pieces in the Bass sale a decade ago, the 1872-CC is very rare in any AU grade and nearly impossible to locate above AU55. This example is one of the best 1872-CC half eagles that I have seen. It is original and very lustrous with lovely rich natural orange-gold color. There is very little actual wear noted and the strike is better than average with good detail seen at the centers.
1852-C $5.00 NGC MS64 CAC
There have been two small hoards of high grade this date: the first was found around 20 years ago; the second just a few years back. This particular coin comes from the second group and it is an amazing quality Charlotte half eagle. I owned all four coins from this second group (two in MS63 and two in MS64) and this is clearly among the best of the four. It is literally “as struck” with incredible thick, frosty luster and splendid rich orange-gold and lemon colors seen on the obverse and reverse. What is most impressive about this coin is its total originality.
1808/7 $5.00 PCGS MS63 CAC
One of around three dozen examples known of this die variety; earlier die state than the Bass Foundation plate coin but with a noticeable obverse crack from the rim through the right side of the first 8 and up through the portrait to the top of the obverse near 1:00. The surfaces are fresh and choice with just a few minor scuffs. This is an issue that is nearly always found with very choppy surfaces and this piece is very clean for the issue. The 1808/7 is the rarest date in the Bust Left half eagle series in higher grades. It is scarce in MS60 to MS62 but extremely rare in MS63 and virtually unknown above this.
1880 $20.00 NGC PR63
Brilliant Proof Liberty Head gold coinage is almost never seen anymore. Most examples have been dipped and/or conserved in an attempt to generate higher grades from the third-party services and in order to receive Ultra Cameo designations. In the 2011 FUN auction, Heritage sold a number of superb quality Proof gold coins from the Miller collection that were notable for having natural coloration. These coins were purchased in the 1970’s and 1980’s; back when collectors knew what original proof gold looked like and it was appreciated for what it was. This 1880 double eagle was from that sale and collection.
