1835 Classic Head Half Eagle. HM-2. Rarity-3. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.
Die Variety: HM-2. Obverse 1: The three obverse dies of this issue are easily distinguished by the style of the digits in the date. Obverse 1 has a block 8 with a small, straight flag on the 1. Additionally, the letter L in LIBERTY is repunched. HM-2 represents one of four uses for this die. Reverse C: The eagle has no tongue, and there is no berry in the branch. The middle leaf cluster is far from the U in UNITED and appears to droop away from that letter. The 1835 HM-2 represents one of three uses of Reverse C in this series, the others the HM-3 and HM-7 varieties of the 1834-dated issue. Die Emission Sequence: Placed early in the emission sequence for 1835-dated half eagle dies, the HM-2 was struck after the shared obverse HM-1 attribution of the issue. Die State: The 1835 HM-2 inherited the clash marks from the shield around Liberty's ear in the center of the obverse from the late state of the 1835 HM-1 pairing. Representing a later die state of the 1835 HM-2 attribution, the reverse of the offered coin shows the die cracks from both of the eagle's wing tips and between the two lowest arrow heads. The latter has now extended upward through the uppermost arrow head and down to the border, and additional cracks have developed within the vertical stripes at the left of the shield and through one of the feathers in the eagle's left wing. Estimated Surviving Population for the Variety: 240 coins in all grades (per Daryl J. Haynor, 2020), or 24.5% of extant 1835 Classic Head half eagles. Strike: A touch of light high point rub hardly detracts from a strike that is razor sharp to full throughout the design. Surfaces: Blended deep olive and orange-gold colors are seen on both sides of this handsome example. Plenty of frosty mint luster remains. The surfaces are well composed for having seen light commercial use and are free of singularly distracting marks. Commentary: The HM-1 and HM-2 varieties are the most readily obtainable of the date and account for more than 70% of extant 1835 half eagles. The offered coin is particularly desirable for high grade circulated type purposes, but would also fit comfortably into a specialized date or variety set of Classic Head fives.
PCGS# 8173. NGC ID: 25RV.
From the Daryl J. Haynor Virginian Collection.