Lot 2280
1843-D $5 Liberty. . NGC Specimen 65. Encapsulated in NGC holder 1723016-001. Well struck with a hint of light golden toning. Struck at the Dahlonega Mint for some kind of presentation. Absolutely unique. Listed in the Garrett and Guth Gold book (see page 288). The only "D' mint ever graded "Specimen."
Otherwise brilliant yellow gold with frosted devices and glittery prooflike fields. A most remarkable occurrence for a Dahlonega Mint half eagle from this period, cameo contrast as though it were a Proof! Devices are sharp in all areas, as struck, as desired by collectors, which the discerning photographer's lens has captured in intricate detail. Viewed under 5x or 8x magnification, the detail is of a quality we could wax on about endlessly. We suppose it is all right if readers understand this. But there is getting around the fact the grading service has taken this into consideration when calculating the grade -- another key point desired by collectors.
The present coin is a cameo Specimen striking of great beauty and stature; a piece that must have been used for presentation purposes long ago on a now forgotten occasion. In a word, the coin is astonishing. As in astonishingly beautiful! Even the most experienced specialist in Dahlonega Mint coinage will find this coin to be noteworthy. We readily expect that its next owner will consider it the centerpiece of his or her collection.
When encountered, the 1843-D tends to be in grades hovering around Very Fine condition, occasionally Extremely Fine, and not all that commonly About Uncirculated. Perhaps a few thousand 1843-D half eagles exist today, this possibly being a bighearted estimate our part. Whatever the number, the presently offered Specimen (with a capital "S") is by far the finest and only such piece graded by NGC at this level. From first to last, it ranks as the very finest known. Pop 1. The Finest Graded.
In his Encyclopedia, Walter Breen noted that the large mintmark variety of this date was struck in combination with a rusted obverse die, this being characteristic of all authentic specimens. On the specimen offered here, a group of raised lumps, caused by die rust, is seen between the first two obverse stars. Another raised lump is near the lowest point of the 12th star, and two more lumps are seen at the uppermost right corner of the 3 in the date. Additionally, some small, faint die cracks can be seen among the reverse peripheral legends. The actual mintmark is placed in a central position between the V and E in FIVE. Identifying marks include: a small one in the field above Liberty's nose; another double-mark below the chin; and a final tiny line below the M of AMERICA on the reverse.
Estimated Value $300,000 - 400,000.
Ex Harry Bass, Jr. collection October 1999, lot 923.; earlier part of Stack's Garrett sale, March 1976, lot 375.
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