| Description: |
A simply choice example of the grade, this with medium honey gold surfaces that display
strong lustre and some rose iridescence. The eye appeal is choice for the grade, and the
surfaces are void of all but the tiniest marks. Some striking weakness is seen, as
virtually always found for this rare issue. The 1861-D half eagle was struck by the
Republic in the days immediately following the secession of the state of Georgia, but at a
time earlier than the taking of the southern mint by the Confederate States of America.
However, further coinage was struck by the Confederacy after they captured the Dahlonega
Mint, along with its dies and tiny supply of bullion. Though it is not possible to
distinguish between the coins struck for the United States and those struck under
Confederate control, the federal mintage of 1,597 pieces was only slightly larger than the
unknown number coined by the Confederacy. While we will never know if this coin is a
Confederate strike or a Union strike, one thing we know for certain about this date is
that it is an extreme rarity in just about any grade. A choice AU specimen, such as this
former Harry Bass coin, is important in all aspects, and we suspect bidding activity will
bear that out.From Bowers and Merena's sale of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part
III, November 2000, Lot 492. Earlier, from Superior Galleries' sale of December 1972, Lot
1955. |
