LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Sept. Long Beach Signature Coin Auction  / 

3524

1914-S $5 MS64 PCGS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:3,750.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1914-S $5 MS64 PCGS
<B>1914-S $5 MS64 PCGS.</B></I> The later S-mint Indian Head half eagles constitute some of the best-known rarities in a series replete with difficult and seldom-seen issues. The 1916-S is fairly available, due to a hoard of a few hundred original pieces that was squirreled away at the time of issue, but the 1912-S through 1915-S coins are all elusive in Mint State. Even among those difficult S-mint issues, the 1914-S has earned the title of key to the Indian Head half eagle set in Mint State, according to Garrett and Guth. While a Heritage cataloger a few Signature auctions ago wrote, "The '14-S is the only contender capable of taking on the 1911-D half eagle for top rarity honors among 20th century gold issues," Garrett and Guth are less equivocal on the issue: "Most examples of the 1914-S half eagle are found with well-struck devices, but the luster tends to be muted and the eye appeal challenged. Lacking the mint-imparted glow of many other issues, the 1914-S issue is, therefore, very difficult to find above the grade of MS-63. In fact, a single coin has been graded as MS-65 by NGC, with none seen that high or higher by PCGS or ANACS. Even in MS-64 grades, this date is rarer than many other issues in MS-65, with the 1914-S boasting a mere eight coins graded as high as MS-64. Thus, the 1914-S has earned its place as the most difficult and rarest issue of the series to find in MS-64 or higher grades. This date should be considered the key date to the series."<BR> This specimen displays hallmark gritty surfaces, but it also offers bright and frosty luster, the comments above from Garrett and Guth notwithstanding. The coloration is an attractive antique copper-gold, and a few wispy bagmarks account for the near-Gem grade. The mintmark is clearly discernible, and the overall strike is above average. The eye appeal is quite attractive for the issue. Any U.S. gold specialist should pay close attention to this seldom-seen offering. PCGS has encapsulated seven examples in MS64 with none finer; NGC reports a lone MS65 example (7/07).<BR><I>From The Jim O'Neal Collection of Indian Half Eagles.</B></I><BR><BR><B>Coin Engraver:</B> Bela Lyon Pratt<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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