1874-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-55 (NGC).

This sharply defined Choice AU is lightly and evenly toned in a pleasing pinkish-gold. Satiny in texture with plenty of luster remaining, wispy abrasions are not at all detracting in a lightly circulated San Francisco Mint five from the Frontier Era. Despite a mintage of 16,000 pieces these all but disappeared soon after they were struck through the usual trials and tribulations of circulation. In later years many were melted as collecting by date and mint was not all that developed. Today there are only a few hundred or so of this original issue, and this is one of the finest seen by NGC, nudged out from the top spot by a touch more wear on the high points. There are no Mint State examples known at either service. Impressive quality, eye appeal and an overlooked rarity that should be strongly considered if you are forming an advanced date and mint collection.

PCGS# 8335. NGC ID: 25WR.