1863-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. VF-35 (PCGS). Glints of rose-russet here and there around the obverse periphery interrupt otherwise dominant honey-apricot color on both sides of this original example. The detail is pleasingly sharp, the surfaces very smooth for the assigned grade, and there are faint traces of original mint luster. With a mintage of 17,000 pieces and a high rate of attrition through circulation, the 1863-S half eagle is a rare and significant find at all levels of preservation. Original, problem-free examples such as this are particularly prized since many of the 60 to 75 coins believed extant (per <em>PCGS CoinFacts</em>) are impaired. From the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set.
