1863 $5 Liberty Head Half Eagle PCGS XF45

Note: This coin has not been sent to CAC for review and possible endorsement by AUCM.

This issue is firmly in the top 10 of the most elusive Liberty Head half eagles in the entire series, which stretches from 1839 to 1908. The Philadelphia Mint completed a nominal production of 2,442 coins, and virtually all of them have been lost to time. Since it was struck during the Civil War, that points to possible hoarding and eventual melting.

PCGS estimates that 30 to 40 examples across all grade levels exist today. Of those, PCGS has graded just four as Mint State. PCGS has graded a total of 44 pieces, and one can imagine there are several resubmissions among that number. Of those, there are 4 graded XF45 with 33 finer. An example in the XF grade rarely is offered, either in a direct sale or auction. However, when compared to an AU58 specimen that was auctioned by Stacks Bowers in April of 2022 at $78,000.00, this offering from AUCM is essentially a bargain.

James B. Longacre, the artist-engraver who created the iconic Liberty head design.