1838-C Classic Head Half Eagle. HM-2, Winter-2. Rarity-5. VF-35 (PCGS).

1838-C Classic Head Half Eagle. HM-2, Winter-2. Rarity-5. VF-35 (PCGS). The first Charlotte Mint half eagle, the 1838-C is also the only one of the Classic Head design type. The Guide Book provides a mintage of 17,179 pieces, although an analysis done by Clair M. Birdsall (reported in Haynor, 2020) came up with a mintage figure of 19,118 coins. The discrepancy concerns the number of examples struck from the die pairing now known as HM-2 (10,959 vs. 12,688), which were delivered during calendar year 1838. The only other die marriage confirmed, HM-1, was struck from February 19 through April 16, 1839, for a net mintage of 6,220 pieces excluding 13 coins reserved for assay. Dies for the new Liberty Head half eagle did not arrive at the Charlotte Mint until May 1839, hence the use of the 1838-dated Classic Head dies during the first months of 1839. Extremely popular with collectors, the 1838-C is also highly elusive with most survivors grading no finer than VF. While this is just such as a piece, it is an unusually wholesome coin in a Southern half eagle that saw such extensive commercial use. True, there is some curious glossiness to the texture, but no sizeable marks are seen, and the color is pleasing in a blend of rich honey-olive and rose-orange. Typical reverse die state with a prominent bisecting diagonal crack. PCGS# 8177. NGC ID: 25S5. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.

Estimate:£0.75

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