Lot 2249
1843-O $5 Gold Liberty. Small letters. PCGS graded EF-45. The New Orleans Mint struck half eagles in 1843 with two different reverse dies. The present variety, the Small Letters variety, was struck using leftover 1842 reverse dies. The second variety, the Large Letters variety, was struck using reverse dies shipped to New Orleans in the first quarter of 1843. Of these two varieties, the Small Letters is significantly scarcer. Between PCGS and NGC, the Small Letters variety is about twice as rare in terms of overall rarity and much scarcer with regards to conditional rarity. PCGS has graded only two uncirculated examples of this variety and the distribution of survivors between EF-40-AU-55 is even, only a few existing at each grade level.
The present coin displays an abundance of mint frost on Liberty's device. The fields are lightly abraded, nothing major, and light hairlines are noted from an old wipe. A light hairline scratch exists under the eagle's left wing and continued towards the M of AMERICA. For all practical purposes, the eye appeal of this scarce variety is that of an AU-50 and serious gold specialists should view this coin carefully. PCGS population of 6 in EF-45 with only 11 finer (PCGS # 8217) .
Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200.
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| Realized $1,898 |
