DWN IS THE SOURCE FOR CHOICE AND RARE PRE-1933 US GOLD COINAGE
JUST ADDED - $5.00 - 1867 PCGS MS61 (was NGC MS62)
JUST ADDED - $5.00 - 1867 PCGS MS61 (was NGC MS62)
Date……….1867
Grade…….PCGS MS61
PCGS Price Guide.…….……55000
Population (PCGS)……..……4/2
Population (NGC)……….……1/0
Serial Number………8275.61/36512517
PCGS Lookup Number…….8275
VERY RARE PCGS MS61 1867 HALF EAGLE; WAS FORMERLY GRADED MS62 BY NGC
It is hard to name a more overlooked issue than the 1867 half eagle. While the original mintage of 6,870 is an indication of this date’s scarcity, the survival rate is extremely low and it is doubtful if more than 75 or so exist in all grades. Most 1867 half eagles are seen in the EF40-AU50 range and properly graded AU55s are comfortably within the Condition Census. PCGS shows a population of seven Uncirculated (an MS60, four in MS61, one in MS62,and a newly-discovered MS64) but the number of MS61s is likely inflated by resubmissions and neither the MS60 nor the MS62 have ever been sold at public auction. It is my strong opinion that the current example is very possibly the second finest known business strike 1867 half eagle.
This coin comes from an original 1867 gold set, complete from dollar through double eagle, which I purchased earlier around a decade ago. It contained the quarter eagle in PCGS 61 and the three dollar gold in PCGS MS64 as well as an amazing PCGS MS62/NGC MS62+ eagle.
This coin has the naked-eye appearance of a borderline Gem but the obverse is somewhat liney as the result of its rubbing against the velvet case of issue in which it resides for over 150 years. There are also some handling marks in the obverse field, likely from the coin banging against other pieces in the case. The reverse is superb and grades close to a full MS65 on its own. The obverse is a light yellow-gold hue while the reverse shows deep, attractive orange-gold shading.
The only relevant auction record for a PCGS MS61 1867 half eagle is a very low-end coin (an obvious slider, in my opinion) which sold cheaply as Heritage 9/2014: 3423 at $16,450. Prior to this, the last APR for this issue in PCGS MS61 was the Bass II coin which brought $9,200 all the way back in October 1999.
The only finer business strike 1867 half eagle exists is an incredible PCGS MS64 that is plated in PCGS Coinfacts but which I’ve never seen in person. It is owned by DL Hansen and is likely off the market for many years.
Please note that this coin is accompanied by the original NGC MS62 tag. You can either return it to NGC and have it removed from their population report or keep it as an adjunct to the current PCGS grade.
