The 1863 lays strong claims to being the single rarest Liberty Head half eagle from the Philadelphia mint. Only 2,442 business strikes were made and around three dozen are known with most in the VF-EF range. There are probably fewer than a dozen known in About Uncirculated and there is a single example with claims to an Uncirculated grade in a PCGS MS61 holder.

This is the second time I have offered this coin. The first time was around a year ago and, at that time, this piece was totally fresh to the market, having turned up in a small dealer’s stock in the South. The coin is perhaps the most original 1863 business strike known with attractive deep russet toning covering both sides and deepening at the rims. This coin would grade at least AU555 if not AU58 were it not for a deep reverse contact mark behind the eagle’s head. In my opinion, the fact that it is not in a primary area of focus somewhat mitigates its presence and there is still alot to like about this impressive coin.

No AU53 example of this date has sold at auction since October 2006. In Heritage’s 4/14 sale, a nice NGC AU55 brought $25,850.

The number of PCGS graded AU53 to AU55 1863 half eagles can probably be counted on one hand and this may be the only one with original color and surfaces. An extremely important coin for the Civil War specialist or the half eagle collector.

On hold.