Classic Head Gold Collection, Part 5, 1835 Half Eagle
BillJones
Posts: 34,838 ✭✭✭✭✭
Mintage 371,534
Estimated Number of Survivors 850
The 1835 Half Eagle is a fairly common date in the series, but it is virtually unknown in any grade above MS-64. To date NGC has graded one piece as an MS-65, and PCGS has graded none. As is the case with all Classic Head half eagles, the vast majority of the survivors fall into the Very Fine and Extremely Fine grades.
The coin displayed above is well struck and accurately graded as an AU-58. It is housed in an “old green label” (OGL) PCGS holder. Coins in these holders have gained a reputation for conservative to accurate grading, and command price premiums in some circles. I generally agree with the assertion that the green label holder coins are often properly graded, but I do not believe that collectors should take it on faith that all of them are. Some coins in these holders, as well as the older “rattle holders,” can have grading issues. My message is, there is no substitute for learning how to grade coins for yourself.
I bought this one in 2016 in Heritage auction.
Comments
Nice coin, and your comments on grading are very pertinent.... especially with the current fever that seems to believe all old holders are undergraded.... Cheers, rickO