Simpson-Hall pedigree. Coin Facts plate coin.

Like its counterparts the 1863 and 1864, the 1865 eagle is a major rarity from the Civil War era. Of the 3,980 struck around 50 exist today with most in the VF-EF range. About Uncirculated examples are rare with clearly fewer than a dozen known. I am aware of three to five properly graded AU55′s, one AU58 and a single Uncirculated piece graded MS63 by PCGS.

This lustrous, lightly worn example has medium orange-gold color which is deepest at the right obverse. It is well detailed and lightly worn with excellent eye appeal for an issue which is known for being one of the hardest Liberty Head eagles to find with a pleasing appearance. In fact, it is the single best 1865 eagles which I have ever offered for sale.

Only two PCGS AU55 examples have sold at auction since 2002 and the last was in January 2008.

The fact that this was the finest 1865 eagle which David Hall and Bob Simpson was able to locate speaks volumes about the quality of this important coin.