1850-D Liberty Head Half Eagle. MS-61 (PCGS).

1850-D Liberty Head Half Eagle. MS-61 (PCGS).，Offered is an outstanding Mint State example of an underrated rarity among Dahlonega Mint half eagles. Satiny with modest semi-reflectivity in the fields, both sides also display lovely golden-rose patina. A touch of softness to the hair curls over Libertys brow, some of the obverse stars and the eagles neck feathers notwithstanding, the strike is superior for the issue with overall sharp definition on both sides. A bold and clear D mintmark is notable, as on the vast majority of 1850-D half eagles extant this critical feature is faint and difficult to discern. With superior technical quality and eye appeal for this conditionally challenging issue this coin would serve as a highlight in the finest Southern gold cabinet.<p>Although not widely recognized as such, the 1850-D is one of the rarest Dahlongea Mint fives. Survivors from a mintage of 43,984 pieces are scarce even in circulated grades, while in Mint State this issue is exceedingly rare and seldom offered. The finest examples have been certified MS-61 by PCGS:<p>1 - Ex our (Stacks) sale of the Edward Milas Collection of Liberty Head No Motto Half Eagles, May 1995, lot 480; A.J. Vanderbilt Collection. The present example.<p>2 - Ex N.K.S., July 26, 1967; Harry W. Bass, Jr.; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II, October 1999, lot 1017; Hancock and Harwell; Steve Contursi; Robert Hughes; Green Pond Collection; Heritages FUN Signature Sale of January 2004, lot 1053.<p>3 - Ex Superiors sale of September 1998, lot 2043; Hancock and Harwell; Dukes Creek Collection.，From the A.J. Vanderbilt Collection. Earlier from our (Stacks) sale of the Edward Milas Collection of Liberty Head No Motto Half Eagles, May 1995, lot 480.，