By Greg Reynolds for CoinLink

Half Eagles are U.S. $5 gold coins, and were minted for circulation from 1795 to 1929, though not continuously. A gem quality 1813 Capped Head Half Eagle is ‘in the news.’ On August 5, Stack’s auctioned an 1813 that is certified as MS-65 by the Numismatic Guaranty Corp. (NGC). It realized $86,250.

Half Eagles, $5 gold coins, dated 1813 are the least rare of the Capped Head type (1813-34). The 1813 is one of the three or four least rare dates of all early Half Eagles (1795-1834). The 1813 Half Eagle is often the focus of those who collect by design type. A type set includes one coin of each series of coins with the same design, within a defined framework, while a ‘date’ set includes most or all of the dates in one or more series.

An 1813 in Fine-12 condition, if one could be found, would have a retail value ranging from $2200 to $3400, depending upon the technical and aesthetic characteristics of the individual coin. An 1813 in Extremely Fine-40 grade might be found for around $5000, a marked increase over such a coin’s market value just two or three years ago.

Coins are graded on a scale from 01 to 70, though not all numbers in between are used. The four grades for ‘Very Fine’ are 20, 25, 30 and 35. All eleven points from 60 to 70 are “Mint State” (or Proof) grades. The term ‘Mint State’ is approximately equivalent to the traditional concept of ‘uncirculated.’ Coins that grade 65 or higher are usually termed ‘gems.’ This 1813 Half Eagle qualifies as a gem.

This 1813 is a very attractive coin. The very few light copper spots are appealing. My tentative conclusion is that this coin has not been cleaned, chemically processed, or surgically enhanced. It may have been lightly dipped at one time, as have a very large percentage of uncirculated 19th century gold coins. The contact marks, light abrasions, and very thin hairlines are very small and few in number. It was sharply struck on a select planchet (prepared blank). Furthermore, this 1813 Half Eagle is very brilliant. Though it is not a high end ‘65,’ it definitely makes the grade, and is an enticing coin. (more…)

By Greg Reynolds for CoinLink
An 1894-S dime is ‘in the news’ as, in the third week of July, DLRC sold the Richmond 1894-S for $1.9 million in a private transaction. Collector Daniel Rosenthal was the seller. He paid $1,322,500 for it, through an agent, at DLRC’s Richmond 3 auction in March 2005, at a hotel in Baltimore.

It seems likely that only nine or ten 1894-S dimes exist. The San Francisco Mint struck only twenty-four dimes of this date, all as Proofs. While other researchers have presented rosters, I am attempting a condition ranking.

The 1894-S dime is among the most famous of all U.S. coins. Barber Dimes were minted from 1892 to 1916. These are extremely popular. Most dates in the series are available for very small amounts of money, particularly in low grades.

Like many of my childhood friends, I collected Barber Dimes when I was a kid. Indeed, I knew of dozens of kids and adolescents who did. I am certain that there were, and still are, tens of thousands nationwide. Many adults collect Barber Dimes as well, in a range of grades. Coins are graded on a scale from 01 to 70. Not all grades in between are used. All eleven points between 60 and 70 are used for “Mint State” or Proof coins.

Proof coins are much different from business strikes. They have sharper details, very reflective (or artistically granulated) surfaces, and design elements that are brought about and defined in a special way. Proof coins are struck more than once, though not all coins that are struck more than once are Proofs.

When I collected Barber Dimes as a kid, I was delighted by those that graded Good-04, or even AG-03. On occasion, I would acquire one, often a scarcer date, in Fair-02 condition. I dreamed of owning an 1894-S, as did many of my friends. When I gave a presentation on coins to my class, in fifth grade, I spent more than five minutes discussing 1894-S dimes. I have since collected more information about them: (more…)