SLIDER 1855-S HALF EAGLE

The 1855-S is the first collectible half eagle made at the San Francisco mint. Fewer than 200 are known and while this date is only moderately scarce in the lowest AU grades, it is rare and undervalued in properly graded AU55 to AU58 and extremely rare in Uncirculated. Most of the coins graded AU55 and AU58 have been dipped and lack any character as a result.

This fresh to the market example is from the same source as the wonderful PCGS MS61 1855-S half eagle I sold earlier this month. It is essentially an unworn coin but it does show handling from being shipped loose in a bag. Both sides exhibit considerable mint luster beneath attractive natural light to medium orange-gold hues. I think this coin could be in an AU58 holder and no one would give this grade a second thought.

There are four auction records for PCGS AU55 1855-S half eagles since early 2011 with the results ranging from a low of $2,820 to a high of $3,594. The present example is nicer than any of these coins, as evidenced by its “plus” designation (it is the only 1855-S half eagle in any grade to be given the “plus” modifier).

Here is a terrific momento of the early days of the San Francisco and a coin which is not easily improved upon.