1879 $5 MS(PCGS#8348)

The November 2012 Baltimore Auction

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3278

Grade

MS66

Price

20,563

Lot Description

Splendid Gem Mint State 1879 Half Eagle Finest Certified by PCGS 1879 Liberty Half Eagle. MS-66 (PCGS). An impressive orange-gold Gem with exceptional luster and eye appeal to match. Attractive rose and olive highlights spring to life in a bright light source, adding greatly to the overall eye appeal. The strike is sharp for the date and type. Choice for the grade, and an important find for the advanced type or date collector. This is the sole finest example graded by PCGS at the MS-66 level and NGC has seen none finer than MS-65. Apparently the Finest Known of this date and mint and worthy of the most advanced collection. Numismatic Reflections by Q. David Bowers Although this is not a rare date in lower grades, at this level it emerges as a condition rarity. I can readily imagine that as it crosses the block there will be a great deal of competition from builders of PCGS Registry Sets. My congratulations in advance to the winner! PCGS# 8348. Provenance: From our (Bowers and Merena's) Great Lakes Collection, November 1998, lot 4008. PCGS Population: 1; none finer.