Only 31,000 1873-S half eagles were made and this was a widely circulated, heavily melted issue. Around 100-125 exist with most in the VF-EF range. In the medium AU grades, the 1873-S is rare and it is extremely rare in properly graded AU58. To the best of my knowledge, this date is unknown in Mint State and the present example is easily the finest I have ever seen.

This coin has no real wear and I have seen inferior examples of other dates graded MS60 or even MS61. The color is a wholesome medium rose-gold which deepens around the borders; the strike is excellent with sharp details seen at the centers. There are a few scattered marks, the most noticeable of which are two contact marks in the left obverse, one below the chin and one over the nose.

No PCGS AU58 1873-S half eagle has ever sold at auction and the last NGC AU58 sold all the way back in July 2005.

This is very possibly the finest known 1873-S half eagle and it would make a major addition to a world-class set of Liberty Head half eagles or in a specialized San Francisco gold collection.

CAC has approved just this one example in AU58 with none finer.