1848-D Liberty Half Eagle. AU-55 (PCGS).；Handsome honey-gold surfaces highlight this rare Choice AU 1848-D half eagle. The detail is overall bold, especially for the issue; stars 3 to 5 are weak due to die polishing but the balance of the devices is more or less sharp. Lustrous with a satiny texture, this lovely piece will surely appeal to discerning Southern gold specialists.<br /><br />Although often regarded as one of the more readily obtainable Dahlonega Mint half eagles, the 1848-D is actually a scarce issue in an absolute sense, particularly in high grades. AU and Mint State survivors rank sixth in rarity among the 26 issues in this mintmarked gold series (per Doug Winter, <em>Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint: 1838-1861,</em> 2003 edition). Opportunities to acquire a high grade example with the quality and eye appeal offered here come around only once in a long while, a fact that should be considered when preparing a bidding strategy for this lot.<br />；
