1845-D Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter 12-I. MS-65 (PCGS). CAC. Highly lustrous satin surfaces display a beautiful blend of olive-gold and rose-orange patina. Much prooflike surface is seen, particularly on the reverse. A truly outstanding, indeed monumental example of this date and mintmark combination. Sharply struck, expertly preserved and visually appealing, it is little wonder that this coin stands as the single finest 1845-D half eagle known.With a mintage of 90,629 pieces, the 1845-D is one of the more available Dahlonega Mint half eagles in todays market. As with all pre-Civil War Southern gold issues, however, the vast majority of 1845-D half eagles are circulated. Most grade VF or EF, and even in AU it is scarce, especially when Choice with original and attractive surfaces. In Mint State the 1845-D is a rarity, and in Gem grades it is almost impossible to acquire. The offered example delivers remarkable quality and eye appeal that would do justice to the finest gold cabinet.This coin is ranked #1 in the Condition Census for the issue as compiled by Doug Winter in the second edition of the book <em>Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint: 1838-1861</em>. From the D. Brent Pogue Collection. Ex New Netherlands Coin Company, July 5, 1956; Ambassador and Mrs. R. Henry Norweb; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Norweb Collection, Part I, October 1987, lot 817; Mike Brownlee; Harry W. Bass, Jr.; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part II, October 1999, lot 948; Dwight Manley; Kevin Lipton; Douglas Winter and Heritage Rare Coin Galleries, 2003; Heritages FUN Signature Sale of January 2004, lot 1047; our (American Numismatic Rarities) sale of the C.W. Collection; August 2006, Old West & Franklinton Collections sale, lot 1394.
