The recently concluded Heritage sale was not really a stellar offering from this firm. Falling after the outstanding array of coins sold at the 2011 FUN auction and occurring before what is likely to be a solid group at the Central States sale in late April/early May, the Sacramento auction did, however, contain a few really interesting coins.

As the research I am doing for the third edition of my book “Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint, 1838-1861″ comes together, I am learning some interesting things about the availability of each issue, especially in higher grades. I thought it might be interesting to share some of what I’ve learned about high grade gold dollars from this mint.

There’s an ebb and flow to the coin market cycle. When it is in perfect, Zen-like harmony, the market works well. When it’s disrupted, the market sputters as is the case of what we are seeing in the beginning of 2011. I call it the Great Coin Drought and it’s been happening for at least two years; maybe more. The coin market is based on a classic supply and demand relationship. When there is more demand than supply, prices rise. Simple, no?

While I hate to make bold pronouncements based on a small number of auction results, it looks like an interesting trend may be occuring in the Carson City half eagle market. Within two months, three important CC half eagles have sold at auction and brought tremendous prices. Let’s take a look at the three coins in question, analyze the results, and try to make some sense of this market.

I’m busy updating my Dahlonega gold book (I hope to be finished with the manuscript in 45 days or so) and in honor of My Dahlonega Obsession, I thought it would be fun, or at least moderately amusing, to share some of my recent findings in the form of a Dahlonega Quiz. Here’s how I would interpret your score on the quiz, should you decide to play along: 10 of 10: You are A Dahlonega Guru.

Two newly discovered high grade 1840-C half eagles in the Heritage 2011 Platinum Night session of the FUN auction give interesting insight to the emission sequence and striking characteristics of the rare and popular 1840-C half eagle. Prior to the discovery of these two coins, which were graded MS63 and MS64+ by PCGS, there were an estimated three to five known in Uncirculated.