1875 $5 PR64 PCGS. JD-1, Low R.7....

Description

1875 Liberty Half Eagle, PR64
Extremely Rare Key Date
Only 20 Pieces Struck

1875 $5 PR64 PCGS. JD-1, Low R.7. The Philadelphia Mint struck a token mintage of 20 proof Liberty half eagles for collectors in 1875, to accompany a minuscule production of just 200 circulation-strike coins. As might be expected, the 1875 half eagle is a landmark rarity in both formats today. In fact, all the gold denominations produced at the Philadelphia Mint in 1875 had extremely small mintages, except for the double eagle. Among U.S. gold collectors, the year 1875 enjoys a special reputation because of all the different rarities created with that date. Heritage Auctions is privileged to present this classic gold rarity in this important offering.

The 1875 half eagle proofs were all delivered in one batch on February 13. A single pair of dies was used to strike all the proofs. On the obverse, the date is well-centered between the bust and the dentils. This makes it easy to differentiate between proofs and prooflike business strikes, which show the date positioned closer to the dentils. This was the only use of the obverse die, but the reverse was the same one used to strike proofs from 1866 through 1880. John Dannreuther estimates the surviving proof population at eight to 10 examples in all grades today, with three of those coins out of reach in institutional collections at the Smithsonian and the ANS.

The present coin is an impressive Choice proof that displays reddish tinged, deeply mirrored surfaces, with razor-sharp definition on all design elements. A magnifier reveals the few small defects that account for the grade, but the only flaw we can find that might be used as a pedigree identifier is a shallow diagonal scratch across the neck of the eagle. Overall eye appeal is outstanding. We expect intense competition from series specialists when this lot is called. Population: 1 in 64, 1 finer (5/22).
Ex: Rarities Sale (Bowers and Merena, 7/1997), lot 369; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 5/2001), lot 9039.
From The Allan H. Goldman Collection. (Registry values: P8)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28CC, PCGS# 8470, Greysheet# 9209)

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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