Lot 2335
1875 $5 Liberty. NGC graded AU-55. Well struck with semi reflective surfaces. In NGC holder 3005024-001. The 1875 Half Eagle is one of the celebrated key coins in the Liberty series, second only in overall rarity to the 1854-S. A mere 200 business strikes were struck. There may only be a half dozen pieces left. This is the first 1875 five dollar gold piece we have offered in other than Proof in some time. Unlike other examples of this issue, this piece could not readily be mistaken as a Oroof. The surfaces are bright and the devices sharply made; however, it simply does not have the distinguishing features of a Proof. Additionally, the devices have the mark of a business strike: the left base of the 1 in the date is left of the center of a dentil, unlike Proofs which have the left base of the 1 right of the center of a dentil.
Most of the "name" collections in the last hundred years lacked an example of the business strike 1875: Eliasberg had a Proof, Amon Carter did not own one, nor did the Norwebs. In Akers' study of the Half Eagle series, out of the 337 gold sales surveyed, business strike 1875 fives were only occur three times.
Very few of the usual small abrasions are found on either side of this choice coin, but the only mark that could be reliably used as a pedigree identifier is a shallow ding above the forehead in the field below the 6th star. The rest are small and more or less overlooked. A simply outstanding rarity and a splendid opportunity for the serious collector of rare date gold.
Pop 2; Tied for finest graded at either service PCGS or NGC.
Estimated Value $60,000 - 75,000.
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| Realized $74,750 |
