1866-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. No Motto. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC. From an important transitional year in the Liberty Head half eagle series comes this attractive 1866-S No Motto example. The eye appeal is exceptional with deep, rich olive-orange color blending with softly frosted mint luster that is nearly complete. The strike is razor sharp at virtually all design features. Remarkably smooth for the issue, only the strongest bids will be competitive for this premium quality offering.<p>The San Francisco Mint struck only 9,000 No Motto Liberty Head half eagles in 1866 before dies for the new Motto design arrived from the mint in Philadelphia. With S-Mint gold coinage of the era seeing heavy commercial use, the typical survivor is well worn and often impaired. Survivors of this issue are few and far between regardless of preservation, as most examples failed to survive exportation and eventual melting. Particularly elusive in the finest circulated grades such as Choice EF and AU, the 1866-S No Motto was unknown in Mint State until PCGS certified an example in MS-61 ahead of its sale in our March 2017 Baltimore Auction. The coin offered here from the Hendricks Set also ranks among our most significant offerings of all time for this rare and conditionally challenged issue, especially since it is one of the two highest graded examples verified by CAC. From the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set.
