1859-D
Mintage: 10,366

The 1859-D half eagle has the second lowest mintage of any of the Dahlonega Mint half eagles. This date always comes weakly struck in the centers, on both obverse (softness on the hair curls around the face and reverse (on parts of the eagle). The rims are round and have a beveled appearance. The surfaces are usually abraded and often the planchet has mint-made flaws. Original, uncleaned specimens have coloration ranging from green-gold to orange-gold and luster (usually satiny with a grainy texture) that is below average in quality. Only a very few 1859-D half eagles have good eye appeal, most specimens don't. A rare coin in grade levels of Choice About Uncirculated and better. Less than 145 specimens survive with fewer than 8% being in Mint State. Only one die variety is known.