1868 Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS).
This is a delightful example of a highly elusive Philadelphia Mint half eagle. Both sides display deep honey and rose-gold colors. The luster is virtually complete, and the otherwise frosty texture yields to decided semi-reflectivity in the fields. Boldly struck and nicely preserved in all regards, this 1868 half eagle holds great appeal for advanced collectors of Liberty Head gold coinage. The 1868 is part of a run of rare low mintage circulation strike Liberty Head half eagles from the Philadelphia Mint that began in 1862 during the darkest days of the Civil War. With the outcome of that conflict uncertain by the end of 1861, Eastern banks suspended gold specie payments in December. This resulted in the withdrawal of gold coins from circulation in the North and Midwest (although such pieces continued to see commercial use on the West Coast) and smaller Philadelphia half eagle mintages. The Philadelphia Mint struck just 5,700 circulation strike half eagles in 1868. Most of these coins were exported, although some likely saw circulation on the West Coast, thereby explaining the small number of mostly VF and EF survivors. Even more elusive are AU and Mint State coins, many of which were likely repatriated from foreign bank hoards beginning in the mid 20th century. The number of 1868 half eagles involved in these repatriations has been small, however, and PCGS CoinFacts accounts for fewer than 100 coins extant in all grades. This aesthetically pleasing Choice AU example is among the finest available, and is sure to see spirited bidding.
PCGS# 8315. NGC ID: 25W5.
PCGS Population: 11; 2 finer (MS-62 finest).
From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.