1864 Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-58+ (PCGS). CAC. One of several key date Liberty Head half eagles from the Civil War era, the offering of any circulation strike 1864 represents a significant bidding opportunity for gold specialists. The lovely near-Mint surfaces of the present Fairmont-Hendricks specimen feature vivid rose-honey color. Much of the original satin finish remains, and the devices are sharply defined throughout from a well executed strike.<p>As the slightly higher mintage might suggest, the 1864 is not quite as rare as the 1863. Yet with a mere 4,170 circulation strikes produced, the absolute rarity of this issue is beyond doubt. All Philadelphia Mint half eagles of the 1862 to 1865 era are low mintage rarities, as there was little bullion available for coinage once Eastern banks suspended gold specie payments in late 1861. Whats more, many of the Philadelphia Mint gold coins that were struck during that era were subsequently melted, leaving few survivors for todays collectors. The extant population for the 1864 half eagle is estimated at just 60 to 75 coins (per <em>PCGS CoinFacts</em>). Only two Mint State grading events are listed at PCGS, followed by the AU-58+ offered here as CC#2 for the issue. Astute bidders take note -- it is unlikely that a finer circulation strike 1864 half eagle will be available for acquisition any time soon. From the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set.
