RARE 1866-S WITH MOTTO HALF EAGLE

The 1866-S half eagle is an interesting transitional issue. Varieties are known with No Motto (only 9,000 were struck) and With Motto of which a total of 34,920 were made. Today, fewer than 100 exist with the majority grading VF to EF. None exist in Uncirculated and only two or three AU55 to AU58 coins are currently accounted for.

This light russet example shows some remaining luster and has fewer marks than usual for an issue which is rarely seen without heavy contact. There is some weakness of strike on the obverse which affects stars four through seven while the centers are sharp. The reverse is fully AU and choice.

The last PCGS EF45 1866-S With Motto half eagle to sell at auction was the Bass IV: 494 coin (sold all the way back in November 2000) which brought a solid $3,910. I have only handled one other (a PCGS AU55) in the last three+ years.

This numismatically significant issue remains excellent value in collector grades.

CAC has approved just this one coin in EF45 with none finer and just five for the date.