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Set of 'No Motto' Half Eagles for Under $5k per coin!
Analyst
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Many Liberty Head 'No Motto' Half Eagles are very rare and can be acquired for reasonable prices, in the context of 19th century rarities, usually for less than $2.5k. Indeed, the number of rarities in this series and the availability of them are fascinating. Pleasing representatives of non-rare dates can sometimes be bought for less than $1k.
As so many 19th century coins cost more than $10,000 each, true rarities for $1000 to $5000 each may be good values. It might be possible to nearly complete a 'No Motto' half eagle set that is missing just two coins, all for less than $5000 each.
Also, Brian Boosi, a member of this forum, is quoted in multiple passages.
Rare Gold Coins under $5000 each, Part 9: ‘No Motto’ Liberty Head ($5 Gold) Half Eagles
"In order to understand the scarce coins that you own or see, you must learn about coins that you cannot afford." -Me
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I wouldn't try to complete a set, but after reading that I might have to start being on the lookout for some No Motto half eagles.
That article may cost me some money
I wouldn't try to complete a set, but after reading that I might have to start being on the lookout for some No Motto half eagles.
I hear the mint has been sold out for a long time.
Interesting article, thanks for sharing. Philly 'No Motto' Half Eagles are nowhere near as "loved" as their Dahlonega and Charlotte counterparts, or even New Orleans counterparts (which seem to be on the upswing recently), but they've got a lot going for them. They're a lot better made than their branch mint counterparts and are a lot cheaper. I know the branch mints have a better "story", but I'm surprised the Philly issues don't have more (if any) of a following.
I think that the philly coins are slowly beginning to have a following but not as a series which is collected by date, but select issues which represent great value. Consider the 49, 50, 58, 59, and 60 all have pops of less than or about 100 and a choice original AU55-58 can be had for $1500-$2000.
Consider that if the 42 LL or SL were in the Charlotte or Dahlonega series it would be the rarest coin I the set and you can buy that coin in AU for under $5k compared to the branch mints (which are far cooler) where a common date in choice AU with 350-500 pieces extant will run you about the same.
Thanks for letting me contribute Greg.
Latin American Collection
1) that Philly coins from 44-61 are easy. Many are but lumped in to that group are some of the best values in the series with genuinely tough coins like the 46 SL, 49, 50, 58-60 which have 75-125 extant. Try finding an AU58 with great surfaces. I still have not found a 58 to suit and I was outbid on a 49 AU58 CAC for top dollar by someone else who recognized its scarcity in such choice condition.
2) I'd maintain that the 58-S is far more difficult than the 61-S, 63-S and 65-S and likely on par with the 62-S. While not as sexy as the Civil War dates, it is in fact more rare.
Latin American Collection
I agree that the 58-S is the overlooked NM S-mint $5. In order of difficulty, I'd rank them as:
54-S
64-S
58-S, 62-S
61-S, 63-S, 65-S
59-S 66-S NM
55-S 60-S
57-S
56-S
Interestingly, David Akers in 1979 (US Gold Coins Vol. IV - Half Eagles) had them ranked as:
54-S
64-S
62-S
61-S 59-S
58-S 60-S 63-S 65-S 66-S NM
55-S
56-S 57-S
and I think this jives with some previous threads which find the 59-S to be a bit easier to find than perceived while the 58-S is harder to find than perceived.
That article may cost me some money
I wouldn't try to complete a set, but after reading that I might have to start being on the lookout for some No Motto half eagles.
I hear the mint has been sold out for a long time.
a few months anyway
Nice article! We really should postpone all this talk of rarity until we are much older and ready to sell ;-)
I agree that the 58-S is the overlooked NM S-mint $5. In order of difficulty, I'd rank them as:
54-S
64-S
58-S, 62-S
61-S, 63-S, 65-S
59-S 66-S NM
55-S 60-S
57-S
56-S
Interestingly, David Akers in 1979 (US Gold Coins Vol. IV - Half Eagles) had them ranked as:
54-S
64-S
62-S
61-S 59-S
58-S 60-S 63-S 65-S 66-S NM
55-S
56-S 57-S
and I think this jives with some previous threads which find the 59-S to be a bit easier to find than perceived while the 58-S is harder to find than perceived.
I would say that the 60-S is quite a bit more scarce than the 55-S
Latin American Collection
I would say that the 60-S is quite a bit more scarce than the 55-S
Ok, I'll give you that. I should have put the 60-S on its own line above the 55-S. I don't think it's as rare as the 59-S or 66-S NM, but rarer than the 55-57 coins.
Seems like there have been a number of nice mid-grade 60-S pieces on the market in the past few years, including the P30/CAC just sold @ DWN, but I've only seen a bunch of processed 55-S pieces by comparison.
Anyone else have some nice looking pieces to share that would qualify under the article's criteria?
[URL=http://s1219.photobucket.com/user/jonruns/media/1839 5_zpsxnfzhn7m.jpg.html]
Here are some more Philly coins, albeit one is not under 5K:
The 1859 above is an R10.1. In 60 or higher, it's an R9.8. There were only 16k minted (much like a branch mint mintage) and only 75 known extant.
Great article!
My latest purchase a few months ago from DWN was this lowly F-12, but it's a date that's hard to find. 62-S is the consensus 3rd toughest S-mint NM $5, with about 50 known.
also, i forgot to note your 56-S has a really good strike. those feather details are pretty sharp on the reverse arrows and the eagles neck.
Latin American Collection
we have a winner!