1845-D Half Eagle - 1845-D $5 PCGS MS61. This rare, Dahlonega, Mint State 1845-D Half Eagle has bright mint luster within its devices and a needle-sharp strike, which is especially unusual for a pre-Civil War, Southern branch mint coin. Full details are present on the centers of the stars, Libertys hair, the eagles neck, and the area to the lower left of the shield. The coin is a mixture of yellow-gold and green-gold, which is typical for this mint, with touches of rose-gold. The surfaces are original and clean for the grade with no notable individual abrasion marks, and of course, there is no wear as expected for an Uncirculated piece.

In 1838 the first Dahlonega gold coins were made, and they were the Classic Head half eagle type. Because of the local alloys high silver content, Dahlonega gold coins often have a green-gold cast. They are also often weakly struck on irregular planchets. Dahlonega gold coins are eagerly sought by collectors and investors because of their low mintages and rarity. Modern D mint coins should not be confused with Dahlonega coins. Today a coin bearing the D mintmark was minted in Denver, which began production in 1906.

Christian Gobrecht designed the half eagle. It shows a left facing profile of Liberty wearing a LIBERTY inscribed coronet. Her hair is tied in the back and there are two loose curls that hang down her neck. Around the head are thirteen six-pointed stars, and the date is below the truncation. At the periphery of the coin are dentils. The coin also has a reeded edge. The reverse shows a heraldic eagle similar to the one on the Classic Head eagle. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the eagle, except for its wing tips, in an arc. The denomination is below, separated with dots, and written as FIVE D.

In 1826 Gobrecht did his first work for the Mint as an assistant to William Kneass. After Kneass suffered a debilitating stroke, Gobrecht did all the die and pattern work for the Mint. He became Chief Engraver in 1840 and served until his death in 1844. He was famous for his Liberty Seated motif which was used for all denominations of silver coinage including the half-dime, dime, quarter dollar, half dollar and silver dollar. He also designed the Liberty Head gold eagle, a motif that was also used on the half-cent, the cent, the gold quarter eagle, and the gold half eagle. 

In their Encyclopedia, Garrett and Guth say that the 1845-D half eagle is usually found damaged or heavily cleaned. Mint State coins are rare. In its population report, PCGS has 10 certified in MS61 condition with 6 better.