Classic Head Gold Collection, Part 8, 1836 Half Eagle
BillJones
Posts: 34,820 ✭✭✭✭✭
Mintage 553,147
Estimated Number of Survivors 1,150
The 1836 half eagle is the second most common issue in the Classic Head series. This coin is generally available in all grades from Very Fine to Almost Uncirculated. Mint State pieces can be found with some patience.
The coin above has some dulling in the fields which limits its grade to MS-61. Since the cartwheel luster is still intact on both sides, this coin qualifies as a low level Mint State example.
There are Proof-Like surfaces beneath the minor imperfections, and the coin is very sharply struck. Not all 1836 half eagles are this well made. This coin was struck from a new set of dies that had recently been put into service. I would have loved to have seen this piece when it was new and fresh off the dies. It would have been a stunning example!
A good piece of the gold for this issue and probably the quarter eagles as well came from an indemnity payment from France for damage that our naval fleet suffered during the Napoleonic Wars. The diplomatic wrangling went on for years before the French agreed to pay of the debt in six installments. At least one of those payments went into U.S. coinage, at least in this instance the Classic Head coinage.
I bought this piece in a Stacks’ Auction in a Stacks’ auction. The comment in the catalog was that “it looks better than the MS-61 grade.” In this case, they were right. This piece has lots of eye appeal.
That's it for today - you are probably getting tired of me already.
Comments
No way. Both educational and entertaining. Love the included history. Keep it coming.
Nice example, looks like a second head, 4-D (R.2).
Appreciate the history.
Thanks for posting
I've learned to respect Classic heads.
AFTER years and years of having to SEARCH for anyone to buy em.
Hope to fill that hole someday.
thanks for the information and efforts !!
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I enjoy all of your posts.
Very nice coin. Thanks for the history lesson. I never get tired of your posts. Keep them coming.
Great series of posts Bill... I have enjoyed them along with the information. Cheers, RickO