1865-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC.
A newcomer to the Condition Census for this challenging Civil War era issue, this premium Choice AU 1865-S will impress even the most seasoned Liberty Head gold enthusiasts. It is a wonderfully original coin with deep honey-gold color on both sides, nearly complete mint luster, and striking detail that is sharp in all but a few isolated areas. There are no significant marks to limit either the technical quality or eye appeal. As with all San Francisco Mint half eagles from the Civil War and Reconstruction eras, the 1865-S is scarce to rare in all grades. Most of the 27,612 coins struck were lost to heavy commercial use. Fewer than 100 are known, and most are well worn and/or impaired. This remarkably well preserved and visually appealing Choice AU would be difficult to improve upon. Indeed, it is one of the highest graded examples of the issue to meet with approval from CAC. The other is the Fairmont-Hendricks specimen in PCGS/CAC AU-58 that realized $28,800 in our Spring 2022 Auction.
PCGS# 8299. NGC ID: 25VX.
PCGS Population: 6; 5 finer, just two of which are Mint State (MS-64 finest). CAC Population: 1; 1 (AU-58).
From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.