1865 $5 AU53 PCGS....

Description

1865 Half Eagle, AU53
Seldom Seen in Any Grade

1865 $5 AU53 PCGS. By 1862 -- the second year of the Civil War -- the federal government had ceased paying out gold coins, and hoarding of both gold and silver coinage was widespread. The production totals for half eagles in Philadelphia dropped from 688,000 pieces in 1861 to 4,430 pieces in 1862, and few P-mint half eagles were produced in the entire span from 1862 through 1865. The 1865 circulation strike mintage was a mere 1,270 pieces. Faraway San Francisco was insulated from the fray and continued more normal mintages, since half eagles were the favored denomination out West in the early 1860s.

Many of 1865 examples that survive did circulate to some extent. The average grade of certified survivors is AU50. Mint State coins are virtually unknown: PCGS reports just two MS62 examples, while NGC reports three grading events -- two in MS60 and one in MS61. PCGS CoinFacts estimates only 30 to 40 1865 half eagles are known in all grades combined. This AU53 PCGS example displays medium yellow-gold surfaces with some hints of reflective prooflike surface remaining in protected areas. Myriad small marks exist, none particularly overt, consistent with light circulation. An area of strike weakness shows on the eagle's lower feathers and the arrow fletchings. Population: 5 in 53, 7 finer (1/19).
Ex: ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2015), lot 4344.(Registry values: P8)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 25VW, PCGS# 8298, Greysheet# 8911)

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.

View Certification Details from PCGS