1863 Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. This lovely near-Mint 1863 half eagle is a highly significant offering from the Hendricks Set. It is a fully original, expertly preserved coin exhibiting rich honey and rose-orange colors. The strike is sharp and both sides retain nearly complete satin to modestly semi-reflective luster.<p>With Northern banks suspending gold specie payments at the end of 1861 and such coins simultaneously disappearing from circulation in the East and Midwest, little bullion reached the Philadelphia Mint for coinage during the remaining years of the 1860s and throughout much of the 1870s. In 1863, the Philadelphia Mint produced only 2,442 circulation strike half eagles, the lowest mintage of the Civil War era after that of 1,270 pieces in 1865. Perhaps not surprisingly, the 1863 is seldom offered in any grade. The present example, among the finest seen by PCGS and verified by CAC, is sure to catch the interest of astute gold collectors who recognize the significant bidding opportunity that this lot represents. From the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set.
