MINTMARK COMPARISON
PCGS MS61
- PCGS #:
- 98215
- Designer:
- Christian Gobrecht
- Edge:
- Reeded
- Diameter:
- 21.65 millimeters
- Weight:
- 8.36 grams
- Mintage:
- 98,452
- Mint:
- Dahlonega
- Metal:
- 90% Gold, 10% Copper
- Auction Record:
- $20,700 • MS61 • 01-12-2005 • Heritage Auctions
Go To Grade
Current Auctions - PCGS Graded
Current Auctions - NGC Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded
For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - NGC Graded
Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More
| Survival Estimate | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 100 |
| 60 or Better | 3 |
| 65 or Better | |
| Numismatic Rarity | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | R-8.0 |
| 60 or Better | R-9.8 |
| 65 or Better | R-10.1 |
| Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 34 / 112 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 18 / 112 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 1 / 112 |
| Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series | |
|---|---|
| All Grades | 51 / 218 TIE |
| 60 or Better | 31 / 218 TIE |
| 65 or Better | 1 / 218 |
Condition Census What Is This?
| #1 MS62 PCGS grade |
#2 MS61 PCGS grade
Heritage 4/2010:2257, $10,925 |
| #2 MS61 PCGS grade |
#4 AU58 PCGS grade
|
| #4 AU58 PCGS grade |
| #6 AU55 PCGS grade |
| #6 AU55 PCGS grade |
| #6 AU55 PCGS grade |
| #6 AU55 PCGS grade |
| #6 AU55 PCGS grade |
Doug Winter:
The 1843-D is the most common Dahlonega half eagle struck in the 1840’s and it is one of the more obtainable issues from this mint in high grades. Its relative availability and its early date of issue make it a popular type coin.
The 1843-D half eagle is relatively common in lower grades and can be obtained in the lower About Uncirculated grades without a great deal of difficulty. This issue becomes rare in choice About Uncirculated and it is very rare in any Mint State grade.
STRIKE: This is one of the best struck Dahlonega half eagles. Many show excellent detail on the hair of Liberty with complete definition on the strands below BERT and on the curl beneath the ear. The stars are often well detailed with full radial lines. The reverse shows a comparable quality of strike with the eagle’s feathers and wing tips often fully formed. There is sometimes weakness on the legs of the eagle but it is possible to find an 1843-D half eagle that is sharp in this area as well.
SURFACES: The majority of 1843-D half eagles are very heavily abraded. It is not uncommon to see otherwise attractive example with clusters of deep, detracting marks in the fields. All 1843-D half eagles have raised die lumps on the obverse (see Die varieties, below) which should not be confused with defects or damage.
LUSTER: 1843-D half eagles generally display good luster. High grade examples have a pleasing frosty appearance.
COLORATION: Uncleaned, original pieces have been seen with a broad range of coloration. This coloration ranges from deep yellow gold to rich coppery-orange. There are more original examples remaining than for most of the dates from the early 1840’s but the number of original coins is becoming fewer each year.
EYE APPEAL: This is one of the best manufactured Dahlonega half eagles. It is possible to locate an example that is well struck, lustrous and attractively toned. Finding one with clean surfaces, however, is quite challenging.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS: At one point, the three finest known 1843-D half eagles were all in the Duke’s Creek collection.
DIE VARIETIES:
Variety 10-G: Small D. The date is slightly high in the field and the 3 is closer to the neck of Liberty than it is to the denticles. Small D mintmark, as on 1842-D Large Date, Large Letters, with the D positioned over the V in FIVE.
This is by far the rarer of the two varieties of this year and it should sell for a significant premium due to its rarity and importance.
The 1843-D half eagle is relatively common in lower grades and can be obtained in the lower About Uncirculated grades without a great deal of difficulty. This issue becomes rare in choice About Uncirculated and it is very rare in any Mint State grade.
STRIKE: This is one of the best struck Dahlonega half eagles. Many show excellent detail on the hair of Liberty with complete definition on the strands below BERT and on the curl beneath the ear. The stars are often well detailed with full radial lines. The reverse shows a comparable quality of strike with the eagle’s feathers and wing tips often fully formed. There is sometimes weakness on the legs of the eagle but it is possible to find an 1843-D half eagle that is sharp in this area as well.
SURFACES: The majority of 1843-D half eagles are very heavily abraded. It is not uncommon to see otherwise attractive example with clusters of deep, detracting marks in the fields. All 1843-D half eagles have raised die lumps on the obverse (see Die varieties, below) which should not be confused with defects or damage.
LUSTER: 1843-D half eagles generally display good luster. High grade examples have a pleasing frosty appearance.
COLORATION: Uncleaned, original pieces have been seen with a broad range of coloration. This coloration ranges from deep yellow gold to rich coppery-orange. There are more original examples remaining than for most of the dates from the early 1840’s but the number of original coins is becoming fewer each year.
EYE APPEAL: This is one of the best manufactured Dahlonega half eagles. It is possible to locate an example that is well struck, lustrous and attractively toned. Finding one with clean surfaces, however, is quite challenging.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS: At one point, the three finest known 1843-D half eagles were all in the Duke’s Creek collection.
DIE VARIETIES:
Variety 10-G: Small D. The date is slightly high in the field and the 3 is closer to the neck of Liberty than it is to the denticles. Small D mintmark, as on 1842-D Large Date, Large Letters, with the D positioned over the V in FIVE.
This is by far the rarer of the two varieties of this year and it should sell for a significant premium due to its rarity and importance.