1866 $5 Motto MS(PCGS#8311)

October 2018 Baltimore U.S. Coins Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1212

Grade

AU58

Price

10,800

Lot Description

1866 Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58 (NGC). Vibrant saffron-yellow hues adorn the high points across this incredible near-Mint example. The complexion is otherwise medium-gold in hue and embellished by considerable remnants of satiny luster flooding the fields. Scattered streaks in the planchet are visible on the obverse though these do not distract from the astounding preservation of the surfaces. Sharply struck and devoid of any serious abrasions. The Philadelphia Mint's first Liberty half eagle with Motto, this issue is a leading rarity in its series. From a mintage for the date of just 6,700 pieces, which is the lowest production figure of any of the three half eagle issues of the date, including the much vaunted 1866-S No Motto issue. A rare and elusive issue in any and all grades with fewer than 100 examples are known. Just a handful of Mint State pieces survive, placing immense pressure on Choice AU examples like the present from advanced specialists in the series. Only 6 grading events are listed finer by NGC, though these undoubtedly represent resubmissions. NGC Census: 12; 6 finer. PCGS# 8311. NGC ID: 25VZ. Click here for certification details from NGC.