1843-D $5 Small D AU53 Certification #40053993, PCGS #98215

The coin is one of the most aesthetically pleasing AU Dahlonega half eagles. It has dark original surfaces, and is beautiful in its appearance. It is also the considerably more scarce "Small D" variety. Most recently from the Three Rivers Collection and formerly owned by The Alabama Collector as part of his terrific AU set of Dahlonega half eagles. I would like to thank RYK for being willing to part with this wonderful coin!

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.