1865 Liberty Head Half Eagle. AU-53 (PCGS). CAC. An attractive and particularly desirable survivor of one of the rarest Liberty Head half eagles of the Civil War era. Original pinkish-honey surfaces exhibit flashes of softly frosted luster under a light. Sharply defined in most areas, and certain to find its way into another advanced gold cabinet.<p>The 1865 continues the trend of low mintage circulation strike half eagles from the Philadelphia Mint begun in 1862. This is actually the lowest mintage issue in this group with just 1,270 pieces. With gold specie payments still suspended in the East and Midwest as the final drama of the Civil War unfolded, most 1865 half eagles were exported or otherwise eventually melted. It is likely that fewer than 50 examples are extant, and the opportunity to acquire one of these coins usually comes along only once in a very long while. Furthermore, if one were lucky enough to be presented with a market offering, chances are likely that they would be considering either an impaired coin or, if straight-graded, a coin that was far from choice. Finer than most other certified AUs -- as confirmed by CAC approval -- and thus combining condition with absolute rarity, this highly significant piece looms large among the half eagle highlights in the Hendricks Set. From the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set.
