PCGS Nos: 8377, 8486

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 61,360
Proofs: 53

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Diameter: ±21.65 millimeters

Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%

Weight: 129 grains (8.24 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia, PA) below the eagle on the reverse

Images courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions

Significant examples:
Proof (illustrated above).  Ex - Trompeter collection.

Recent appearances:
PCGS Proof-65.  Ex - Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 556, illustrated, sold for $20,700.00  From Stack's sale of the Alto Collection, December 1097, Lot 269; from Max B. Mehl's sale of the W.F. Dunham Collection, 1941, Lot 2170

NGC MS-65.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 7277, illustrated, not sold

PCGS MS-64.  Ex – American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,” July 25, 2003 , Lot 723, illustrated, sold for $2,530.00

PCGS MS-64.  Ex - Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 7276, illustrated, not sold

Notes:
The finest Uncirculated examples graded by PCGS are 21 MS-64's.

Proof 1891 Half Eagles were sold by the Mint as part of four-piece Gold Proof Sets and/or they were available individually for $5.25 each! The finest Proof example graded by PCGS is a single PR-65.

The finest Proof Cameo example graded by PCGS is a single PRCA-67.

The finest Proof Deep Cameo example graded by PCGS is a single PRDC-64.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins" by Walter Breen

"The PCGS Population Report, July 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service

"An Index of the Coins & Medals of The Cabinet of the Mint of the United States at Philadelphia" by R.A. McClure, Curator, 1891