1869-S Liberty Head Half Eagle. EF-40 (PCGS). Impressive quality for a survivor of this heavily circulated Frontier era issue. Bathed in warm pinkish-honey color, both sides retain bold outline definition to all major design elements. The all important S mintmark is sharp with an uncommon degree of finer definition. Simply put, this is a scarce issue in an absolute sense that is rare in grades above EF. Extensive commercial use claimed most of the 31,000 half eagles struck in the San Francisco Mint during 1869, and most of the few survivors are well worn if not also impaired. Mint State examples are all but unknown, this handsome EF coin representing about the finest in quality realistically obtainable for many collectors. From the Fairmont Collection.
