IMPORTANT CONDITION CENSUS 1860 $5, GRADED MS63 BY PCGS

As is clear from its minute PCGS population figures of three in MS63 and just a single coin finer (a remarkable MS66 that has never sold at auction), the 1860 half eagle is a bona-fide condition rarity. It is not a common date in circulated grades, and for most collectors an AU55 or an AU58 at $5k+ makes sense.

But I think the average DWN client is not “most collectors” and that important high-end No Motto half eagles are somewhat of a thing in our little numismatic ecosystem.

Pale rose-gold and greenish-gold colors rest atop satiny surfaces that show some evidence of the die basining issues that are seen on various US gold coins struck between around 1858 through 1862. In my opinion, this is a totally original coin that has never been chemically altered.

Why is it not stickered by CAC? I’m going to guess that it has to do with some light lines and ticks in the mid-left obverse field that John Albanese feels shouldn’t be on an MS63 version of this date. I disagree and I think this is a very solid coin for the grade.

This is likely the third finest known for the issue, and there is an auction record of $15,863 for a nice NGC coin (ex Milas Collection) that was sold in 2015.

Ex Stack’s Bowers 3/2023: 3219 where it sold for $15,600.

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