1866 Motto Seated Liberty Half Dollar NGC PR66 Cameo

Only 725 proof Seated Liberty half dollars were minted in 1866, the first year to include the motto IN GOD WE TRUST as part of the reverse design. Proofs are seldom encountered today, but may still be more available than Mint State business strikes. This particualr example is brilliant and color-free, but for some traces of peripheral toning on each side. The NGC population is just 2 with 3 graded higher

Listed at $11,500 in the NGC price guide.

Offered at $8,400

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Just Two Graded Higher – 1866 Motto Liberty Double Eagle PCGS MS62

The design of the double eagle was modified to include the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse in 1866, initiating the popular Type Two design. The San Francisco Mint struck both Type One and Type Two twenties that year, but all double eagles produced at the Philadelphia Mint were of the new Motto design.

While the business-strike mintage was 698,745 pieces, few high-quality examples were saved by contemporary collectors. Only the wealthiest 19th century collectors could afford to set aside lengthy date runs of twenty-dollar gold coins, and the well-heeled numismatists who did collect double eagles preferred to update their collections by purchasing proof examples from the Mint every year. The coins were seldom seen in circulation, as they could only be purchased from banks and bullion brokers at a premium and the general public had become accustomed to the more convenient paper money during the Civil War years. Much of the 1866 mintage was exported and melted. Some more coins were sent to the Western United States where they circulated heavily in the hard-money economy of that region. By the time numismatic interest in the denomination became widespread in the late 1930s the coins had been circulating for decades, suffering much wear and attrition along the way. The 1866 Liberty double eagle is not difficult to locate in circulated grades today, but Mint State examples are decidedly elusive. Most Uncirculated examples are concentrated in the MS60-MS61 grade range and finer coins are rare. The one offered here is highly lustrous, with attractive color and excellent eye appeal.  The PCGS population is only 11 with 2 graded higher.  

Listed at $39,600 in the CDN CPG and $35,000 in the PCGS price guide.

Offered at $36,650

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you.

(800) 257.3253
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check.
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.

1866-S Motto Liberty Double Eagle PCGS MS61

“Motto” for Today is…

This is the first San Francisco Type Two double eagle issue. Although struck in large quantity (842,250 pieces), the mintage circulated heavily in the West and precious few Uncirculated pieces have surfaced in the past 150+ years. Among the small number of Mint State survivors, none have graded MS63 or better at either PCGS or NGC. The PCGS population currently stands at 19 with 8 higher.

Offered at $12,600 delivered

We do business the old fashioned way, we speak with you. Give us a call for price indications and to lock trades.

(800) 257.3253
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST M-F
Private, Portable, Divisible Wealth Storage

Price is based on payment via ACH, Bank Wire Transfer or Personal Check.
Major Credit Cards Accepted, add 3.5%
Offer subject to availability.