***Auction Highlight*** 1880-s TOP POP Gold Liberty Half Eagle $5 Graded ms65 By SEGS. HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT - Up for Auction is a TOP POP. an 1880-s Liberty Head Half Eagle $5 Gold. The 1880-S is among the larger half eagle mintages from the San Francisco Mint, with a coinage of more than 1.3 million pieces--but it is surprisingly scarce in the higher Uncirculated grades. In fact, in Gem condition, it is THE HIGHEST GRADE ever given by either PCGS, SEGS of NGC. These surprising results are perhaps explainable by the recent introduction in 1878 of the Morgan dollar (then called the Bland dollar) in 1878. It might be that the few Western collectors who opted to put aside a special new coin from circulation chose one of the new, large, and impressive shiny silver pieces, rather than a higher-face-value coin whose design was largely unchanged since 1839. When viewing this piece, the initial impression is "original." The mint luster has a soft, frosted texture and each side is overlain with reddish patina with a subtle hint of olive intermixed. Fully struck in all areas with only the slightest marks visible under magnification. I wish you luck in obtaining this “Tied for Finest Known” example. A Corey's Pick, Bid to Win, Don't let it get Away, you might not find its equal Coin. I give this coin my highest recommendation