Heritage World Coin Auctions
CSNS Signature US Coin Sale 1254 26-28 Apr 2017
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Proof Liberty Half Eagles
1878 $5 PR64 PCGS. From a mintage of only 20 coins, the proof 1878 half eagle is believed to survive in numbers no greater than 12 to 14 pieces. In their gold Encyclopedia, Garrett and Guth estimate that "There are probably only about 10 coins known in all grades, including those contained in museum collections." There is one piece in the Smithsonian Institution, and a second resides in the ANS collection. PCGS and NGC combined report 12 privately held coins, although this figure likely includes at least one or two resubmissions. We have handled a few examples over the years on various occasions, with the Trompeter Gem Cameo NGC piece recently trading on a bid of nearly $50,000 in our August 2015 ANA Signature sale.
This near-Gem example is housed in an old green label holder with no Cameo designation, although it is indeed starkly contrasted with rich orange-gold coloration. A loupe reveals a few faint hairlines in the fields, mixed in with equally faint die polishing lines (mint-made). The strike shows the usual softness on the eagle's neck, the fletchings, and the hair curls behind Liberty's eye. Overall, the visual appeal greatly surpasses expectations for the PR64 grade. Population: 2 in 64, 1 finer (3/17).
HID02901242017
1878 $5 PR64 PCGS. From a mintage of only 20 coins, the proof 1878 half eagle is believed to survive in numbers no greater than 12 to 14 pieces. In their gold Encyclopedia, Garrett and Guth estimate that "There are probably only about 10 coins known in all grades, including those contained in museum collections." There is one piece in the Smithsonian Institution, and a second resides in the ANS collection. PCGS and NGC combined report 12 privately held coins, although this figure likely includes at least one or two resubmissions. We have handled a few examples over the years on various occasions, with the Trompeter Gem Cameo NGC piece recently trading on a bid of nearly $50,000 in our August 2015 ANA Signature sale.
This near-Gem example is housed in an old green label holder with no Cameo designation, although it is indeed starkly contrasted with rich orange-gold coloration. A loupe reveals a few faint hairlines in the fields, mixed in with equally faint die polishing lines (mint-made). The strike shows the usual softness on the eagle's neck, the fletchings, and the hair curls behind Liberty's eye. Overall, the visual appeal greatly surpasses expectations for the PR64 grade. Population: 2 in 64, 1 finer (3/17).
HID02901242017