Lot 895
IMPORTANT 1842-C SMALL DATE PCGS GRADED EF-40. PCGS graded EF-40. Considered to be the rarest of all the Charlotte Mint half eagle issues, the 1842-C small date has earned this fame as many collectors have sought an example for years before finding one. Of the handful known, most are found in grades of Very Fine or lower, this coin is a hair better, crossing the mark at EF-40 with PCGS's blessing. Medium golden orange with hints of luster near the devices. Identifiable by a small tick mark in the field near the point of Liberty's nose, and a small mark below the E of UNITED. As to the PCGS Population Report, we see that 6 have been graded as EF-40, with a 11 graded in various grades above, and a single Mint State 62 coin at the top of the heap.
Breen estimated the mintage of the small date to be 4,595 and the large date of this year at 23,589, a ratio of less than one to four. With decades of data pouring into the grading services, and several advanced studies keeping records of the known specimens, it appears that a ratio of one to three may be more accurate. Nevertheless, this is the rarest Charlotte Mint half eagle, and one of the rarest coins to have been issued by that Mint.
Different size date punches were common in this era, the Philadelphia Mint seemed to be experimenting with large and small digits. Most denominations are found with varying size dates from 1842 to 1846 with both large and small dates available. One of the most important coins in this sale for the date collector, and remarkably, there are two to choose from. If you are a serious date collector, it is far better to purchase the rare coins first, then fill in the more common ones as time, money and availability permit.
Estimated Value $17,500 - 22,500.
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| Realized $15,525 |
