Tag: PCGS

1811 Tall 5 Capped Bust Half Eagle PCGS MS64

Sirhc

The Tall 5 die marriage is scarce, and slightly rarer than the Small 5 variety, the only other known die variety of the year. These varieties are easily distinguished by the size of the digit 5 in the denomination. The half eagle coinage of 1811 consisted of 99,851 coins, according to Mint records, although the real total may have been a much smaller number. The two varieties are similar in rarity, and many of the first or Tall 5 variety were coined before other half eagles dated 1810, thus the confusion surrounding the mintage. Walter Breen suggested that over half of the mintage, or more than 50,000 coins, were actually dated 1810. Of course, there may also have been a quantity of 1811 half eagles produced in 1812 and recorded in the mintage for that year. This discussion illustrates just one of the problems facing researchers who are examining early Mint history.

The PCGS population is just 7 with 4 graded higher.

Listed at $50,400 in the CDN CPG and $47,500 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $44,500

1903-S Liberty Half Eagle PCGS MS67

Sirhc

An unremarkable production of more than 1.8 million half eagles was accomplished at the San Francisco Mint in 1903. The 1903-S five is widely collectible through MS63 and even MS64. Examples in Gem and Premium Gem grades are scarce, while Superb Gems of this quality are condition rarities. This one’s a beauty!

The PCGS population is only 5 with none graded higher.

Listed at $16,200 in the CDN CPG and $18,500 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $14,650

Pop 1, Only 1 Graded Higher – 1862-S Liberty Half Eagle MS61

Sirhc

While the Civil War effectively ended the circulation of gold and silver coinage up and down the East Coast, hard money remained in the channels of Western commerce throughout that fraught period in American history. The San Francisco Mint struck 9,500 half eagles in 1862, nearly all of which ended up in circulation. Probably three or four pieces survive in Mint State, at best, and the entire population of 1862-S five-dollar gold pieces is likely smaller than 100 coins. 

The PCGS population is 1 with only 1 graded higher.

Listed at $67,500 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $59,100

1854-S Liberty Double Eagle PCGS AU50

Sirhc

The San Francisco Mint began coinage operations in 1854, occupying the same building that previously housed the U.S. Assay Office of Gold, which produced the iconic $50 octagonal “slugs” of the Gold Rush period. Coinage during the first several months though was stunted due to a lack of parting acids needed for ore refinement. The double eagle mintage at San Francisco of 1854 was only 141,468 pieces, which would prove to be the lowest total coinage of this denomination at the West Coast branch mint. Surviving examples of the 1854-S double eagle are scarce in high AU grades and borderline rare in attractive Mint State condition. 

Listed at $15,000 in the CDN CPG and $17,500 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $15,150

Tied for Highest Graded – 1935-S Texas PCGS MS68

dyann

With 10,000 coins distributed to collectors (and eight pieces reserved for assay), the 1935-S Texas commemorative half dollar fails to distinguish itself as a rarity in the series. Indeed, examples are plentiful through most grades, including MS63 all the way up through MS67. It is at this stratospheric level, however, that the issue becomes a genuine condition rarity.

The PCGS population is just 6 with none graded higher.

Listed at $11,200 in the CDN CPG and $14,000 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $9,600