1851-D Liberty Head Half Eagle. With One Pinch of California Gold Dust. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.

Handsome honey-gold surfaces show intermingled blushes of orange-apricot and reddish-rose. Otherwise boldly defined, softness of strike to the hair curls over Liberty's brow and the bottom of the eagle is characteristic of this poorly produced issue. Both sides are appreciably lustrous and quite smooth for a lightly circulated Dahlonega Mint five, especially one whose journey through time included being lost at sea with the treasure of the S.S. Central America. Although a mintage of 62,710 pieces is generous for the issuing mint, the 1851-D is scarce and underrated in today's market. According to Southern gold expert Doug Winter (2003), this is the sixth rarest of 26 issues in the Dahlonega Mint five-dollar series. Far superior to the typically encountered survivor, the present example is highly recommended for an advanced cabinet. This coin is housed in a special large size PCGS holder that also includes one pinch of California gold dust. The back of the PCGS insert features the signature of Bob Evans, chief scientist and historian of the S.S. Central America treasure. Under Evans' signature is the note: "I certify this coin and gold dust were recovered from the S.S. Central America." Also included in this lot is a cardboard Ship of Gold presentation box designed to house the large size PCGS holder, as well as a Certificate of Authenticity from David Hall in his capacity as founder of PCGS. The box and certificate are available to the winning bidder upon request to Stack's Bowers Galleries at the close of the auction .

PCGS# 670788.

Ex S.S. Central America.