1894-O $5.00 PCGS MS61

While seemingly not that scarce in MS61, virtually all of the 1894-O half eagles I have seen in said holders are sliders that do not make the proverbial grade. The present example is strictly "new" and is actually quite choice for the date and grade. It has great luster and nice subtle golden color with a few identifying areas of coppery toning (including a small spot on Liberty's neck) that give it superior eye appeal for the issue. The 1894-O is numismatically significant as the final Liberty Head half eagle from this mint. It is common in circulated grades but rare in the lower Mint State grades and very rare in MS62 and above, as evidenced by the fact that PCGS has graded just seven in this grade or better. The last two PCGS MS61's to appear at auction, in the Heritage 6/11 and Stack's Bowers 7/11 sales, both sold for $2,530 and were both inferior to this example.