1873-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. A beautiful and original coin, both sides exhibit attractively original patina in honey-gold. Striking detail is superior for a San Francisco Mint gold coin from the 1870s, the mintmark well defined and crisp, and most other design elements sharply to fully impressed. The surfaces are lustrous with a satin to softly frosted texture and remarkably smooth. Highly appealing and sure to see spirited bidding among specialists.<p>The mintage of 31,000 coins reported for the 1873-S is on par with those of other San Francisco Mint fives from the late 1860s and early 1870s and, like those other issues, heavy commercial use on the West Coast claimed most of the coins. This issue is scarce even in well worn condition, while in the popular collector grades of EF and AU only a few small handfuls remain. <p>With only two Mint State examples known (both graded MS-61), the importance of this coin for advanced collectors of San Francisco Mint and/or Liberty Head gold coinage can hardly be overstated.<p><p>
