1842-C Liberty Head Half Eagle. Small Date. Winter-1, the only known dies. AU-58 (NGC). Charlotte Mint Label.

With a razor sharp strike, vivid golden-yellow color and considerable luster remaining, this is a remarkable coin in an 1842-C Small Date half eagle. The texture is frosty, if finely granular as befits the issue, close inspection also revealing modest semi-reflective tendencies in the protected areas around the peripheral devices. A delight to behold, this formidable rarity would do justice to the finest Southern gold cabinet. The Charlotte Mint produced two distinct varieties of half eagle in 1842. The Small Date, offered here, was almost certainly struck first since the date logotype is the same size as that seen on Liberty half eagles of 1839 to 1841. This variety has a paltry mintage of 4,595 pieces and is far rarer than its identically dated Large Date counterpart, produced to the extent of 23,589 coins. In fact, the 1842-C Small Date is the rarest Charlotte Mint half eagle and the second rarest issue from this coinage facility after the legendary 1849-C Open Wreath gold dollar. Fewer than 100 coins are extant, most of which grade no finer than Choice VF. In attractive AU-58 the present example ranks among the finest certified and is sure to please even the most discerning numismatist. All known 1842-C Small Date half eagles were struck from a single die pairing, although there are two die states. Die State I, offered here, is from perfect dies while on Die State II coins an obverse rim cud is present at 12 o'clock.

PCGS# 8208. NGC ID: 25SV.

From the Dr. William M. Aden Collection. Earlier from our Baltimore Auction of June 2017, lot 11396.