Lot 3296
1865-S $5 Liberty. NGC graded AU-58. Only 27,612 struck. Nice strike with light golden toning. A rare coin in high grade. We have stated it before when the occasional 1865-S five gets consigned to one of our sales, this is a rarity in higher grades and a coin that David Akers noted as usually being found in grades of Fine to Very Fine. Breen confirms in his encyclopedia that as a date, the 1865-S is "prohibitively rare above VF; unknown above EF" which will give collectors some reference into the elusive nature of this date in high grade. The true number of About Uncirculated pieces may never be known, and it could actually be lower than reported in the population figures due to resubmittals. In the historic Harry Bass, Jr. sales of the late 1990s, only two lower-end About Uncirculated coins were offered, these were the best he could find after years of searching.
The large S mintmark is slightly weak, diagnostic to this variety. Overall the strike is firm, with strong details on Liberty and the eagle (barring a little softness in the region of the two claws and arrow feathers, also diagnostic). The fields show moderate handling marks, as these were acquired from shipping around in a bag rather than heavy circulation; the coin has so little actual wear. No annoying alloy imperfections are seen, and this coin would be the focal point of any advanced date collection. Frosty luster in the fields and graced by light coppery toning. Pop 9; 5 finer in 61 (PCGS # 8299) .
Estimated Value $6,000 - 6,500.
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| Realized $7,475 |
