1855-D Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter 38-CC. Medium D. AU-50 (PCGS).

Abundant frosty luster remains on handsome, original honey-orange surfaces. Reversing the pattern of strike seen in the typical 1853-D and 1854-D half eagle, this piece is softly defined through the centers, yet considerably sharper toward the borders. Impressively smooth with superior eye appeal. By the time the 1855-D was produced half eagles had long been a workhorse among the gold denominations, none more so than those struck at the Southern mints. These tended to enter circulation and remain there for years. The 22,432 Dahlonega Mint half eagles produced in 1855 are no exception to this; only around 150 to 200 examples are thought to exist in all grades, almost none of which are Mint State. With the vast majority of surviving coins at the EF level and below, AU examples are eagerly pursued by dedicated specialists. Truly this is an exceptional specimen of a challenging issue, made even more so by the fact that the Medium D is by far the scarcer of the two varieties known.

PCGS# 98263. NGC ID: 25US.

PCGS Population (Medium D attribution only): 1; 13 finer, just one of which is Mint State (MS-62).

From the Fairmont Collection - CBL Set.