SOLD - $5.00 - 1855-S PCGS AU58
SOLD - $5.00 - 1855-S PCGS AU58
Date 1855-S
Grade PCGS AU58
PCGS Price Guide 6900
Population (PCGS) 10/2
Population (NGC) 16/3
Serial Number 8265.58/82414237
PCGS Lookup Number 8265
ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN 1855-S HALF EAGLES
Given the extreme rarity of the 1854-S, the 1855-S is for all intents and purposes the first available half eagle from the new San Francisco mint. While available in lower grades, it is rare in properly graded AU58 and very rare in Uncirculated. I have only handled one finer than this AU58: a PCGS/CAC MS61 that I sold to a specialist collector.
I recently bought this coin at auction (in an old PCGS 58 holder) and I paid a whopping $13,513 in the thought that it would grade MS61. I still think this coin is an MS61 but PCGS didn't agree, which means I take a huge hit (so it goes...)
This orange-gold example has attractive rich color which is the same as when I first sold this exact coin 20+ years ago. It is well struck, free of the usually seenmarks and it has great overall eye appeal.
Until this coin sold at auction (see below), the last to trade brought $6,900 in March 2011.
Ex Heritage 9/16: 14073 where it sold for $13,513.
