The Charlotte Mint produced two distinct varieties of half eagle in 1842. The Small Date, was almost certainly struck first since the date logotype is the same size as that seen on Liberty half eagles of 1839 to 1841. This variety has a paltry mintage of 4,595 coins and is far rarer than its identically dated Large Date counterpart, produced to the extent of 23,589 coins. In fact, the 1842-C Small Date is the rarest Charlotte Mint half eagle and the second rarest issue from this coinage facility after the legendary 1849-C Open Wreath gold dollar. Fewer than 100 coins are extant, most of which grade no finer than Choice VF.

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the March 2010 Baltimore Auction, where it realized $42,550.