Bill's Classic Half Eagles
1834 Crosslet 4
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Coin Details
| Origin/Country: |
United States |
| Design Description: |
HALF EAGLES - CLASSIC HEAD |
| Item Description: |
$5 1834 CLASSIC SCRIPT 8 CROSSLET 4 HM-9 |
| Full Grade: |
PCGS MS 61 |
| Owner: |
BillJones |
Owner Comments:
The 1834 Classic Head crosslet 4 is the scarcest Red Book variety in the set. According to the late Dave Akers, this coin appeared less times at auction than even the 1838-C, which generally regarded as the rarest Classic Head $5 gold coin. Most of the surviving examples are in the VF to EF range, and Akers characterized AU and Mint State coins as "prohibitively rare."
The present coin falls a bit short of Mint State grade in my opinion, but it has good luster and no major defects. The design devices have Mint State sharpness, but the fields are a bit "busy" for the grade in my opinion. Still "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," and that's why this piece is in my set.
It would be interesting to learn the history of crosslet 4 varieties. There was also a crosslet 4 variety for the "old tennor" gold 1834 half eagles. It too is a rarity, even more than than the Classic Head piece.