1866-S $5 Motto MS61 PCGS. CAC....

Description

1866-S Motto Half Eagle, MS61
Tied for Finest Certified
Sole Finest With CAC Endorsement

1866-S $5 Motto MS61 PCGS. CAC. Ex: The Fairmont Collection. As San Francisco issues tend to get less attention than the Southern mints, the 1866-S With Motto half eagle is an underappreciated rarity. Fewer than 100 pieces survive from a mintage of 34,920 coins. Of these, just three are known in Mint State, all certified by PCGS, including one MS60 and two MS61s. The MS60 piece and the current MS61 example are from the Fairmont Collection, while the other MS61 PCGS coin is assumed to be the MS61 NGC coin we handled in 2008, but crossed to PCGS. Of the three, only the current MS61 coin is endorsed by CAC, rendering this piece essentially the finest known.

Luster remains in the fields, illuminating original orange-gold and olive patina, with well-struck motifs. A light scrape in the left obverse field joins other minor abrasions as expected for the grade. Compared to most known examples of the With Motto 1866-S, this piece is exceptional, as is befitting a coin tied for finest known. Population: 2 in 61, 0 finer. CAC: 1 in 61, 0 finer (11/24).
Ex: Global Showcase Auction (Stack's Bowers, 8/2022), lot 3099.(Registry values: P3)
From The Drumwright Family Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25W2, PCGS# 8312, Greysheet# 9045)

Weight: 8.36 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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