May 28, 2001, The Fairchild Family Trust Collection, Sale 10

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$5 Gold

Condition Census 1846-D Over D Half Eagle

Lot 1374 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1846-D. High second D over D. NGC graded MS-63. This coin is high in the Condition Census for variety, with only two coins graded higher by both NGC and PCGS. Boldly struck on the devices and with clean surfaces for the grade. The D over D feature is bold, and easily visible on the reverse. One of the top examples known of this widely published and highly collected variety, and an exciting coin for the specialist. Color photo.
Estimated Value $18,000-20,000.

Lot 1375 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1846-D. High second D over D. PCGS graded AU-55. Boldly struck by the dies with complete definition on even the highest design elements, including Liberty's rounded curls and the eagle's craggy claws. The all important surfaces show minor handing marks, but are better than average even for this high grade. The mispunched D Mintmark is bold, and can clearly be seen with a glass. A recent PCGS Population Report notes just 8 graded this high, with 15 graded higher.
Estimated Value $2,000-2,500.

Lot 1376 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1847. NGC graded MS-61. Reflective in the fields, with some minor hairlines noted there. The reverse die was rotated about 30 degrees counter-clockwise when this one was coined. Scarce in mint state.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

Flashy Mint State 1847-C

Lot 1377 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1847-C. NGC graded MS-61. One of the finest of this date which is extremely rare in mint state grades. Delicate coppery toning around the periphery, and slightly reflective where the fields are undisturbed. Identifiable by a knock on the fourth star which extends to the field above. The NGC Population report notes 5 graded this high, with just 2 graded higher. Minor coppery tones also noted on the high points of the devices.
Estimated Value $10,000-13,000.

Lot 1378
No Lot.

Lot 1379
1847-C. VG-8. There are some circulation marks on Liberty's face and in the right obverse field.
Estimated Value $200-250.

Lot 1380 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1847-O. PCGS graded AU-53. A small quantity of 12,000 were coined for the year, and few can even approach the quality offered here. This coin has soft gold tones over hazy and original appearing surfaces. Boldly struck, with each star complete at the center. One of only 6 graded this high by PCGS, with only 2 graded higher. This is a coin that a collector will love.
Estimated Value $7,000-8,500.

Lot 1381
1849. VF-20. We note some faint scratches in the obverse fields.
Estimated Value $140-160.

Choice Mint State 1849-C Half Eagle

Lot 1382 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1849-C. NGC graded MS-63. This is an extremely rare coin in full mint state according to Breen, and this has been confirmed by the NGC Population Report, only 2 have been graded this high, with 3 graded higher. The surfaces show minor hairlines and we note a small dig on Liberty's neck, along the truncation line above the 4 in the date. Flashy luster in the fields, and the devices are all boldly brought up by the dies. Delicate coppery toning can be seen at certain angles when the coin is examined. A rare opportunity to buy one of the very best examples extant from this important southern mint. Color photo.
Estimated Value $20,000-25,000.

Delightful 1849-D in Mint State

Lot 1383 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1849-D. NGC graded MS-62. One of the very finest known from the original mintage of 39,036. This one has yellow-gold color throughout and is untoned. Deeply and well struck by the dies, with crisp details even on the upper design elements. The bagmarks are at a minimum for a half eagle, and this is an impressive example for the specialist. A recent NGC Population Report shows only 4 graded this high, with none graded higher. Similar at PCGS, where they have graded 7 as MS-62, with a single coin graded a notch higher. Seldom offered.
Estimated Value $10,000-13,000.

Choice Eye-Appealing 1850-C

Lot 1384 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1850-C. NGC graded MS-63. Bright and flashy with abundant mint luster throughout. The surfaces show only a few minor scrapes, and not usual profusion of bagmarks often encountered. Sharply struck and very appealing. NGC reports just 3 graded this high, with a single coin graded higher. Similar at PCGS, which reports just 1 graded this high and 1 higher. Color photo.
Estimated Value $20,000-25,000.

Highly Desirable 1850-C in Mint State

Lot 1385 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1850-C. PCGS graded MS-61. One for the date collector who demands quality and value for their collecting dollar. The surfaces show nice mint luster in the fields, and the stars, curls and feathers are all well struck. Critical examination with a loupe shows minor hairlines and trivial handling marks, but Liberty's face and the fields are better than you might expect for the moderate grade assigned. The coin counter stopped at 63,591 for the year, making this one of the more available dates from the popular Charlotte Mint. As to the Population Report, PCGS has graded 2 as such, with 3 graded a notch higher, and 2 more above that. A rarity in this grade, and this is not one of the "sea water" uncirculated coins found some years ago, and these have lightly etched (porous) surfaces.
Estimated Value $9,000-11,000.

Lot 1386 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1851-C. PCGS graded AU-55. A high grade example of this rare date, PCGS has graded just 6 this high, with a single coin graded a notch higher, and 4 more examples in various mint state grades. One hidden scrape is noted in the field before Liberty's chin.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.

Lot 1387 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1851-D. NGC graded AU-58. Hazy toning on both sides, with some darker flecks clinging to the devices. The surfaces are clean for the grade, and show few signs of handling. There is one small scuff near the forward point of Liberty's bust. In the NGC Population Report we see that 10 have been so graded, and just 5 coins graded higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,000.

Lot 1388 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1851-O. Sharpness of AU-50 but cleaned. This one was cleaned long ago and still is a bit too bright. As we know, this date has proven itself to be rare for many years, and few are available in high grades.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,000.

Lot 1389 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1851-O. NGC graded EF-40. Moderate handling marks on both sides, one long mark hidden below Liberty's jaw on her neck into the field. Nice color and average surfaces for the grade. Nicely struck and a decent piece for the money.
Estimated Value $650-750.

Important 1854-C in Mint State

Lot 1390 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1854-C. NGC graded MS-61. A premier rarity in mint state, with this coin certainly well within the condition census. The surfaces show extensive luster in the fields, and a few minor hairlines from handling over the last 146 years. Delightful copper toning has started to form in the lower reverse lettering while the obverse is still untoned. Boldly struck and with definition on all but the small curls over Liberty's ear. As with most seen of the date, the mintmark is weak, but clearly present above the VE of FIVE on the reverse. The reverse die had clashed with the obverse when this one was struck, thus Liberty has the eagle's wing protruding from her mouth into the left field, with the upper outline of the wing extends from her throat. Curious indeed.
Identifiable by a minor tick mark that lies at a 45 degree angle down on the right horizontal shield stripes, and currently in NGC holder #569252-040. An opportunity for the advanced numismatist who needs a high end example of this date. Color photo.
Estimated Value $7,000-9,000.

Mint State 1854-D

Lot 1391 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1854-D. NGC graded MS-62. This is the open 5 version of the date, with the 54 nearly touching. Strongly struck and well preserved, with only minor handling ticks. NGC reports 15 graded this high, with only 3 graded higher of the date.
Estimated Value $7,000-9,000.

Lot 1392 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1855. PCGS graded MS-63. Nice mint luster in the fields and with mint-fresh eye appeal. Well struck and although a common date, few were retained in Mint State. PCGS reports only 5 have been in Mint State 63, with 3 graded higher.
Estimated Value $7,000-8,000.

1856-O in Mint State

Lot 1393 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1856-O. NGC graded MS-60. An extreme rarity in Mint State, NGC has only graded 2 coins this high, with 3 graded higher, while PCGS has only graded a single coin as MS-61 in their Population Report. What we are trying to say is; don't expect to find a gem! This lustrous coin is about as nice as this date is found, so one must live with the usual bagmarks that are always present. Slightly reflective in the fields near the devices. Sharp on all but the first few stars, which show central weakness, well struck elsewhere.
Estimated Value $10,000-12,000.

Lot 1394 Click on photo for enlarged version Click on photo for enlarged version
1857-O. PCGS graded AU-58. A condition rarity in this grade! The surfaces show moderate handling marks from circulation, while some of the luster adheres near the devices. Fully struck by the dies, with a mintage of 13,000 very few are found today in high grade. Breen notes in his Encyclopedia that this date is "prohibitively rare above EF", which is confirmed by the NGC and PCGS Population Reports. We note PCGS has graded 3 coins as AU-58, with 2 graded higher. NGC has graded 4 as AU-58, with 3 higher. Well up in the condition census for the date, and a specialists delight for its nice surfaces, good strike and pleasing gold color.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,000.

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