RARE UNCIRCULATED 1856-S HALF EAGLE

While available in most circulated grades, the 1856-S half eagle is a very rare coin in Uncirculated. There are likely no more than six to eight known in Mint State with the finest being a single PCGS MS64.

This fresh-to-the-market example is strictly free of wear with no trace of friction seen on the high spots. The luster is bold and it races around surfaces which are not as abraded as one might expect from a coin graded MS60; a small curving mark outside the 6 in the date deserves mention. The color is natural in appearance with nice light rose and orange-gold which changes to a deeper reddish hue at the obverse border. The overall eye appeal is excellent for both the date and grade.

The last MS60 1856-S half eagle to sell (an NGC coin without CAC approval) at auction brought $5,463 as Heritage 9/08: 3702. Stacks Bowers sold a PCGS MS61 with questionable color for $9,988 as Lot 10250 in their 2015 ANA auction.

This is a conditionally rare coin and it is likely the only CAC-approved Uncirculated 1856-S half eagle which will be available to collectors for under $10,000.

This is the only 1856-S half eagle in any Uncirculated grade to receive approval from CAC.