Lot 2429
1850-D $5 Liberty. PCGS graded AU-58. Only 43,984 minted. Light yellow-gold color. Well struck and choice for the grade with grand eye appeal that should have every half eagle bidder champing at the bit. Pop 4; 1 in 60; 2 in 61. (PCGS # 8245) .
It is common knowledge in the numismatic world that, generally speaking, the coins from the two southern gold mints (Dahlonega and Charlotte) tend to have a lighter coloration than their Philadelphia Mint counterparts. By law, gold coinage during the operation of the Dahlonega Mint (1838-1861) was 0.900 fine, meaning 900 parts per thousand (by weight) pure gold. The remaining 100 parts constituted the alloy (pure gold being too soft and malleable to produce coins that would stand up to the rigors of circulation). By law for that time period, the alloy for gold coins was copper and silver, provided that the silver did not exceed one-half the alloy. Thus, the silver content could be up to 50 parts per thousand. It was therefore lawfully possible to have coins with varying concentrations of silver, a metal that lightens the color of gold when in higher concentrations. Copper, on the other hand, gives a reddish tint to the alloy.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000.
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| Realized $7,763 |
