NEW COINS ADDED 3/5/2025
ON HOLD - $5.00 - 1874-S PCGS AU55 CAC
ON HOLD - $5.00 - 1874-S PCGS AU55 CAC
Date…….1874-S
Grade…….PCGS AU55 CAC
PCGS Price Guide.…….……10000
CDN Greysheet/CPG.…..…7250
Population (PCGS).……..…..11/3
Population (NGC)..…………..15/9
Population (CAC).….....….….3/2
Serial Number……8335.55/17282429
PCGS Lookup Number.……….8335
IMPORTANT CONDITION CENSUS 1874-S HALF EAGLE
While sometimes available in grades through AU53, the 1874-S half eagle is rare in properly graded AU55 to AU58. In fact, PCGS has only graded one coin finer than AU55: an AU58 with decidedly funky reddish-orange color. Not a single Uncirculated 1874-S exists.
This is among the nicer examples of this date which I have seen or offered. It has totally natural russet and soft green-gold color over very lustrous surfaces. There is just a smidgen of wear seen on the high spots and with a bit more pizzazz this could have easily graded AU58. The strike is very sharp for the issue and the ultra-tiny mintmark is much sharper than normal.
Since the end of 2008, only four PCGS AU55 examples of this date have sold at auction, and all but one were non-CAC. The most recent record is the SB2022 ANA: 3117 coin at $7,800. The Fairmont coin sold as SB 2022 ANA: 3116 coin graded PCGS/CAC AU58 set a record price for this issue at $13,200.
There are not many branch mint gold issues from the 19th century which qualify in the Condition Census which can be obtained for under $7,000, but this condition rarity is one coin which can. Amazing value!!
CAC has approved just three in this grade with two finer (AU58).
