CHOICE UNCIRCULATED CIVIL WAR ISSUE 1861 HALF EAGLE

Production of half eagles in 1861 at the Philadelphia mint exceeded the amount coined at this facility for nearly the next two decades combined. The 1861 is extremely common in all circulated grades and it can be found in the lower Uncirculated grades without much effort. This date becomes very scarce in properly graded MS63 and it is rare above this.

This is an especially choice example for the grade with excellent surfaces which lack the ticks and scuffs common to this issue. The detail is razor sharp and both sides are attractively toned in medium rose and orange-gold hues.

Only three PCGS MS63 1861 half eagles have sold at auction since August 2010 and the only one with a CAC sticker brought $5,463 as Heritage 3/11: 4755.

This is an issue with dual levels of demand as it is popular with type collectors as an affordable No Motto date and it is essential for inclusion in a Civil War gold coin set.

CAC has approved six in this grade with 13 finer.