Numismatic

1886-S $5 Liberty Gold Half Eagle MS-64 PCGS

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Struck in the latter half of the nineteenth century, this 1886 gold coin represents a classic era of United States coinage. Minted at the San Francisco branch, it carries the 'S' mint mark, denoting its West Coast origin. With a denomination of five dollars, this piece is a representative of the Liberty Gold Half Eagle type, a design that circulated widely during a period of rapid American economic expansion. This specific specimen has survived the decades in an exceptional state of preservation. Graded Mint State 64 (MS-64), it displays the original luster and crisp details that are often lost to circulation. Composed of 90 percent pure gold, the coin contains just under a quarter ounce of precious metal, specifically 0.2419 troy ounces. The design features the iconic profile of Liberty on the obverse, while the reverse displays a heraldic eagle surrounded by the inscriptions 'STATES OF AMERICA' and the denomination 'FIVE D.' representing its five-dollar face value. Out of a total mintage of 3,268,000 pieces struck in San Francisco that year, finding an example in such a high state of preservation offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistry of late nineteenth-century American minting.