1842-C Liberty Head Half Eagle. Small Date. AU-58 (PCGS).An impressive, highly significant absolute and condition rarity from the earlier years of Charlotte Mint half eagle production. Bright golden-yellow surfaces retain appreciable, if modest reflective characteristics in the fields, the finish a combination of satin and semi-prooflike qualities. Sharply struck overall with most design elements fully rendered, mentionable softness is confined to the eagles head and neck on the reverse. Exceptionally attractive for this challenging issue, this coin is a delight to behold and would do justice to the finest Southern gold cabinet.<p>The Charlotte Mint produced two distinct varieties of half eagle in 1842. The Small Date, offered here, was almost certainly struck first since the date logotype is the same size as that seen on Liberty half eagles of 1839 to 1841. This variety has a paltry mintage of 4,595 coins and is far rarer than its identically dated Large Date counterpart, produced to the extent of 23,589 coins. In fact, the 1842-C Small Date is the rarest Charlotte Mint half eagle and the second rarest issue from this coinage facility after the legendary 1849-C Open Wreath gold dollar. Fewer than 100 coins are extant, most of which grade no finer than Choice VF. In attractive AU-58 the present example ranks among the finest certified and is sure to please even the most discerning numismatist.<p>All known 1842-C Small Date half eagles were struck from a single die pairing, although there are two die states. Die State I is from perfect dies while on Die State II coins, as here, an obverse rim cud is present at 12 oclock.
