1874-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-50 (NGC).An uncommonly sharply defined, honey-orange example of a frontier era gold issue that is seldom offered in any grade. Glossiness to the texture is noted for accuracy, although there are no marks that we deem worthy of individual attention. Highly elusive in numismatic circles, the 1874-S half eagle has a limited mintage of 16,000 coins, most of which were worn out and eventually lost in circulation on the West Coast. When we further consider that this is one of a select group of U.S. Mint issues that are currently unknown in Mint State, the significance of this NGC-certified AU can hardly be denied.