Do any of you Gold guys collect Early ½ eagles?

DHeath

Of all of the coins that are mentioned and pictured here, I don't recall seeing a single pic of one, or post about one. Are they not collected? I'm sure some of you type guys have one. Would one of you put up a pic? I've seen a 37 AU-50 that seems inexpensive. It strikes me as an unusual coin.

EVillageProwler

Don,

In the vernacular of ``early'' collectors, an 1837 would not be considered as such. Most of us use pre-1808 as the time period.

Anyway, for the early half eagles (of my definition), I find them to be too rare and thus too expensive. I would love to collect them though...

As for the 1808 and beyond series, I know little about them to comment.

EVP

darktone

I just happened to have this one sitting on the desk and I took a couple of quick pictures. Too bad it's not the crosslet 4! I really don't collect gold coins by date or series I just buy what I like. These coins have a different alloy than later dates and are more of a yellow gold. mike

DHeath

Thanks Mike, I like your paperweight, and EVP, sorry for my confusion. I was looking through the Bowers and Marena catalog and they had the 1837 listed in early ½'s along with an 1800 Breen 1D. It is an AU55 (PCGS). It made me think how few of these one sees posted. I have seen more flowing hair posts.

MrKelso

<< <i>Of all of the coins that are mentioned and pictured here, I don't recall seeing a single pic of one, or post about one. Are they not collected? I'm sure some of you type guys have one. Would one of you put up a pic? I've seen a 37 AU-50 that seems inexpensive. It strikes me as an unusual coin. >>



I do have several in my Gold collection. If i ever get the chance to bring them home from the bank box i will post them for you with pleasure.

jtryka

Actually, I differ a little from EVP's definition, and I consider half eagles prior to the classic head series to be "early" mainly because of the gold content at 22 karat (.9167 fine) prior to the devaluation of the dollar in 1834 (subsequent to 1834 most were .900 fine though from 1834-1836 they were actually .8992 fine). The classic head series (1834-1838) are pretty common all around, with the exception of the 1834 crosslet 4 and the branch mint issues of 1838, and most are very affordable through AU, and even the scarcer ones are certainly attainable. I may put together a set someday, though I am putting most of my efforts into my Saint set at the moment. I have a few classic head half eagles, but like Mr. Kelso, mine are locked away. Next time I go to the bank I'll try to remember to bring them out for a photo shoot.