Lot 4014
1842-C. Small date. NGC graded AU-58. An extremely rare coin in high grade, only 4,595 were struck (Breen), and some of those were melted for assay pieces. The die broke on March 22, 1842 and many of the known examples show a sharp die break at the top of the obverse. This is apparently an earlier strike, as no sign of the die break, or crack, is yet visible. Better than the coin offered in the recent Bass Sale (Best offered PCGS AU-53), and even the lovely example offered in Bowers and Merena's November 1998 Sale (NGC AU-55), both of which were the late die state with the obverse rim cud. Breen notes this date is prohibitively rare above EF. A review of the last decade of auctions notes only one coin tied, that PCGS AU-58 which was sold in January 1999 by Heritage at the FUN Sale for $77,625. Both the Heritage specimen and this coin are the early die state, and are obviously comparable in grade, surfaces and overall quality.
Long known as the rarest collectible Charlotte Mint gold coin (behind the ultra rare 1849-C open wreath gold dollar) the only finer example is the MS-62 piece in the Paul Dingler Collection (Ex: Elrod). Certainly one of the highlights of any gold collection, this coin will be the crowning glory of the most advanced set of half eagles. The delicate mirror fields show scattered ticks from brief circulation, but there is very little wear on the upper hair of Liberty or on the reverse eagle. Tied with at least one other as the second finest known of the date and a beautiful example for the connoisseur. In NGC holder #1610251-001.
Estimated Value $60,000 - 70,000.
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