Lot 3396
1861 $5 Liberty. NGC graded MS-65. Star. A splendid beauty! Well struck, frosty, and exhibits rich full mint bloom colors. Well deserving of the star rating and low population. Extraordinarily sharp strike with golden luster careening across the surface is what you discover once you start examining this handsome coin under magnification. All stars are 100% sharp, as is the eagle's neck. Indeed, so is every central detail fully defined on this remarkable Gem! A few discrete marks keep it from winning a grade in the superb gem category but just barely. The 1861 half eagle issue has the second highest mintage of any No Motto half eagle, 688,084 struck, yet very few survive in gem condition (see below).
From the Harry Bass website research notes on 1861, we learn that the date logotype for the year is in "small numerals widely spaced, the general style employed since 1859." On the present die the logotype was fairly lightly impressed -- although very distinctly -- and somewhat low and to the left. Pop 2; 2 finer in 66 (PCGS # 8288) .
Estimated Value $18,000 - 19,000.
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