1838-C is among the most sought-after
Classic Head half eagles. It is both a one-year type and a first-year-of-issue. It is not an especially scarce date but it is extremely difficult to find Choice, as evidenced by its low populations at both
PCGS and
CAC. The current population of 1838-C half eagles graded AU55 or AU58 by PCGS stands at nine, while two have been graded in Uncirculated by this service. CAC has approved just three coins in AU55 to AU58, and a single piece in Uncirculated (an MS63+ which I sold in 2020).
There are two varieties of 1838-C half eagle. These are as follows (note that “HM” refers to the variety in the numbering system devised by