1881 Liberty Head Half Eagle. MS-62 PL (PCGS).An impressive strike rarity for the otherwise readily obtainable 1881 half eagle, this vivid pinkish-honey example reveals a decided prooflike finish in the form of mirrored reflectivity in the fields. The design elements are frosty in texture and sharply struck, the interplay between these features and the fields providing a modest cameo appearance as the coin dips into a light. With 5,708,802 pieces produced, the 1881 boasts the highest mintage in the circulation strike Liberty Head half eagle series of 1839 to 1907. Many examples escaped melting in the United States during the late 1930s through earlier use in export trade, repatriations from foreign bank hoards beginning in the mid 20th century providing thousands of coins for todays Mint State gold type collectors. With a PL designation from one of the two major certification services, however, the 1881 is rare. The first and, to date, only example of the issue in the Prooflike category at PCGS, the coin offered here represents a significant find and rare bidding opportunity for the advanced gold enthusiast.
