SOLD – $5.00 – 1860-S NGC AU50
SOLD – $5.00 – 1860-S NGC AU50
Serial Number 3578138-011
PCGS Lookup Number 8287
The 1860-S half eagle is rarer than its mintage of 21,200 would suggest; it appears that many were melted and obviously this issue saw intense local circulation. Today there are but 60-70 known with most in the VF-EF range. In AU, this is a very rare issue and it appears to be unique in Uncirculated with the Bass II: 1129 coin, graded MS62 by PCGS, being the only one I have seen or heard of.
This russet-gold example has a nice original appearance and this is something which is almost never seen on 1860-S half eagles as most have been cleaned and/or processed. There is some gentle frosty luster on both sides and the fields lack the extensive marks endemic to the issue. For the date, the eye appeal is far above average.
No AU50 examples of this date have sold since Bass II (October 1999) where a pair of PCGS-graded pieces sold for $6,325 and $7,475, respectively.
Despite increased popularity in recent years, SF half eagles remain undervalued and this 1860-S is a prime example.
