1839-D Half Eagle

BillJones

Dahlonega Mint specialist collectors regard the 1839-D half eagle as a one year type coin. The most obvious reason for this is that the mint mark is on the obverse above the date. There are other minor differences. These include the distance between Ms. Liberty's bust and the 10th and 13th stars, they are closer; and the curvature of the bust truncation which is greater. In 1840 designer, Christian Gobrecht, made modifications to his design which would stay in place for many years.

The 1839-D half eagle is a scarce coin. The "Coin Facts" estimate is 150 pieces, and the coin is rare in Mint State with only an estimated seven pieces known. PCGS has graded seven Mint State pieces ranging from MS-60 to MS-62, but a couple of those might be resubmissions.

This coin grades AU-55, and it is the last piece that I needed to complete the Dahlonega Mint nine piece type set. As such it is a bit of a milestone coin for me. PCGS has graded 11 pieces in AU-55, and there only 11 coins that have been graded higher, assumming that there has not been any resubmissions.

VanHalen

Thanks for sharing Bill. What's going on with upper right loop in the 9. Do you agree with AU55?

BillJones

<< <i>Thanks for sharing Bill. What's going on with upper right loop in the 9. Do you agree with AU55? >>



It is a scrape probably from the reeding on another coin.

Is it an AU-55? One could argue AU-53. My 1839-C half eagle, which is graded AU-53, is in some ways better than this. The trouble is you are dealing with a coin that seldom becomes available in most any grade, and some of the pieces that are around are "problem coins," MAJOR problem coins. For a coin of this type, this one is actually pretty smooth. You have to remember that this coin is 8 or 9 times it's normal size on your computer screen, and my photography emphasizes every problem.

JJSingleton

Congrats on the completion of your type set. That's a solid example of a much tougher coin than the mintage suggests. And one of 5 single year type coins within the 9 coin set puts it in high demand.

Timbuk3

Sweet, congratulations !!! :-)

Cameonut

Great coin Bill - thanks for sharing!

Walkerguy21D

Wow - very cool.
I'd like to get a '39 half eagle from ANY mint someday.

GeorgeKellogg

Congratulations, Bill, on the completion of your 9-Piece Type Set! You should do an exhibit on it -- FUN 2016 would be nice...

lordmarcovan

Wow... and wow.

Not only the grade, but ... I've just always thought those early branch mint coins that were mintmarked over the date are cool. Haven't had one so far. (When I do, it will almost certainly have to be an 1839-O half dollar, of course.)

bosco5041

That is a very nice coin Bill. You have formed a wonderful collection.

BillJones

<< <i>Congratulations, Bill, on the completion of your 9-Piece Type Set! You should do an exhibit on it -- FUN 2016 would be nice... >>



I am thinking about it. I did one for the Charlotte Mint for Summer fun.

ricko

Very nice gold Bill.....that D on the obverse is intriguing.... Cheers, RickO

BillJones

One of the main reasons for moving the mint mark to the reverse was that it gave the branch mints more flexibility. With the mint mark above the date, the die became instantly obsolete when the year changed. The reverse mint mark allowed the branch mints to use that die for as long at it lasted. In some cases that extended beyond the true useful life of the die. As the specialists known there are some Charlotte half eagles that have virtually no mint mark because the die is filled or worn.