Rare Gem 1863-S Liberty Seated Half Dollar

Lot 378
1863-S. NGC graded MS-65. One of the very finest known of this mid Civil War date. This particular coin boasts lovely gold toning with a touch of blue around the periphery, while the centers are mostly white. The strike is sharp at the centers, and the only weakness we see is located on the rim of the lower reverse where the dentils are not fully defined. On the reverse, the "S" mintmark is broken at the top, as is normal for this date. NGC has graded only 2 this high, and PCGS has graded just one as MS-65, and neither service has graded any higher, comfirming that this is likely one of the finest known.
Estimated Value $6,000-7,000.

Near Gem 1873-S Arrows Liberty Seated Half Dollar

Lot 380
1873-S. Arrows. PCGS graded MS-64. A very curious population report on this date, PCGS has graded only 6 in mint state, 4 as MS-64 as seen here, and just 2 others, both MS-65 above. There are now mint state coins graded by them in lower grades. This one boasts abundant satiny luster and very clean surfaces. We note a few faint hairlines around the mintmark, but this one certainly has the eye appeal and surface quality seen on many gems of this series. Rare and desirable in this grade, and we expect a good show of bidders when this one crosses the block.
Estimated Value $8,000-9,500.

1874 Liberty Seated Half Dollar. Arrows

Lot 381
1874. Arrows. PCGS graded MS-65. A snowy white example that boasts ample mint frost and a sharp strike as well. The surfaces are quite clean, enough so to keep this one in the gem class. Further, it's a rare two year type coin, with arrows at the date, and one of these is required by type collectors as well as date collectors. Well struck as well, with no signs of weakness on the usual culprits such as Liberty's head or the eagle's claws. Minor die cracks on both the obverse and reverse. PCGS has graded 11 this high, with just 3 graded higher, all MS-66 above.
Estimated Value $8,000-9,000.