1864 Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-53 (PCGS).
One of several key date Liberty Head half eagles from the Civil War era, the offering of any circulation strike 1864 represents a significant bidding opportunity for gold specialists. The lovely About Uncirculated surfaces of the present Fairmont specimen feature golden-honey color with a tinge of reddish-rose. Much of the original finish remains, and the devices are sharply defined throughout from a well executed strike. As the slightly higher mintage might suggest, the 1864 is not quite as rare as the 1863. Yet with just 4,170 circulation strikes produced, the absolute rarity of this issue is beyond doubt. All Philadelphia Mint half eagles of the 1862 to 1865 era are low mintage rarities, as there was little bullion available for coinage once Eastern banks suspended gold specie payments in late 1861. What's more, many of the Philadelphia Mint gold coins that were struck during that era were subsequently melted, leaving few survivors. The extant population for the 1864 half eagle is estimated at just 60 to 75 coins (per PCGS CoinFacts ). Only two Mint State grading events are listed at PCGS. Astute bidders take note - it may be years before a finer circulation strike 1864 half eagle becomes available for acquisition.
PCGS# 8296. NGC ID: 25VU.
PCGS Population: 7; 13 finer, 2 of which are Mint State (both MS-61).
From the Fairmont Collection - CAG Set.

Estimate: $17500