1867-S $5 MS63 PCGS....

Description

1867-S Half Eagle, Lustrous MS63
By Far the Sole Finest Known
New Discovery From a Long-Forgotten Cigar Box

1867-S $5 MS63 PCGS. This recently discovered and certified 1867-S half eagle is the new finest known example of the date by a margin of two full grade points. It is also the finer of just two pieces reported in Mint State. Overall, fewer than 100 1867-S half eagles are believed to exist across all grades. The result: this offering represents an unparalleled opportunity for the most advanced Liberty half eagle collectors.
     The coin was discovered in the most romantic fashion. During the evaluation of an old estate in Buda, Texas, a green milk crate was found in the corner of a bedroom closet, which contained an old cigar box and two old shoe boxes -- the latter full of Lincoln Wheat cent rolls. The cigar box, however, held the prize: an 1867-S half eagle in Mint State, along with some other coins of the same period. According to the heirs of the estate, these coins came from family members in Columbus, Ohio, and they are believed to have originated from the family's great-grandfather, who was a Union soldier during the Civil War. The cigar box, and the coins it contained, are said to have belonged to him following his discharge from the Union Army in 1865. The small collection of coins was passed down through two generations of the family before arriving with the current estate. There are many stories of old-time family collections being discovered hidden away for many years, but rarely do such stories involve the discovery of a true numismatic rarity. In this case, the discovery upsets current understanding of the Condition Census of a scarce issue.
     As far back as the 1980s, David Akers considered the 1867-S to be a great rarity in the Liberty half eagle series. Previous auction appearances of this issue have come with the belief that a high-end AU coin, or the lone MS61 piece reported, were the finest examples of the date available. Now that belief is debunked. While it is true that for most collectors a high-end AU 1867-S will be the finest coin reasonably obtainable, this current offering presents a single, never-before-seen opportunity for one fortunate collector to obtain a coin that is without debate far superior to every other known example. This is the sort of coin that defines the finest Registry Sets, and which makes some collections simply incomparable to others.
     Billowing orange-gold luster adorns the glowing fields of this undeniably Mint State coin, and it is interrupted by only minor marks. In terms of technical preservation, there is a distinct difference between this remarkable piece and every other known example. Even the central devices show no serious abrasions. Typical of the 1867-S, there is some strike softness on the hair curls around Liberty's face, as well as on the eagle's neck and talons, but elsewhere the design elements are well defined. Eye appeal exceeds all expectations of an 1867-S half eagle. PCGS Population: 1 in 63, 0 finer (8/26). (Registry values: P3)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25W4, PCGS# 8314, GSID# 9046)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 8.36 grams
AGW: 0.24188oz
Mintage: 29,000

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.

View Certification Details from PCGS