VERY RARE PCGS/CAC AU53 1863 HALF EAGLE

The 1863 is the rarest Civil War half eagle from Philadelphia. Of the 2,442 business strikes made, as few as 35-45 are known with most in the EF-40 to AU-50 range. There are likely fewer than six or seven known in the higher AU grades and the one piece thus far graded Uncirculated (a PCGS MS61) is a nice slider, in my opinion.

Most of the AU-graded 1863 half eagles I have seen have been lacking in eye appeal (to put it nicely) and this pleasing example has good overall eye appeal with nice yellow-gold luster, a lack of severe abrasions and plenty of remaining luster. With just a touch less rub on Liberty's bun, this coin would likely have graded AU55.

No PCGS AU53 example of this date has sold at auction and the last PCGS AU55 was back in 2003. Heritage 2/17: 3965 was graded AU55 by NGC and it sold for $19,975. I like the present PCGS AU53 better.

This date is missing from most Civil War gold sets and I expect this coin to be one of the first pieces in this remarkable offering to sell.

CAC has approved just this one coin in AU53 with another two finer (55,60)