Stack's Bowers Galleries Offers Rare 1861 Half Dollar Certified by NGC

Stack’s Bowers Galleries will offer a rare Seated Liberty Half Dollar struck on the eve of the Civil War that is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) in its Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction on August 27, 2025. The historic coin is one of several high-profile NGC-graded pieces featured in the sale, which includes a wide range of vintage American rarities, Proof strikes and coveted gold issues.

Among the highlights of this auction is an 1861-O Half Dollar graded NGC SP 62+ (lot 3075). It is believed to have been struck at the New Orleans Mint under the brief authority of the State of Louisiana before the Civil War erupted in April 1861. Distinguished by rich toning, polished fields and sharp detail, this coin was almost certainly struck in February 1861 to commemorate Louisiana taking possession of the Mint but before its transfer to the Confederate States. The auction house estimates that only four or five Specimen or Branch Mint Proofs of this coin are believed to exist today.

Other NGC-certified coins in this auction include:

• a 1793 Chain AMERI. Cent graded NGC AU Details (lot 3005)
• a 1793 Chain AMERICA Cent graded NGC XF 45 BN (lot 3006)
• a 1796 Quarter graded NGC XF Details (lot 3041)
• an 1845 Half Cent Restrike graded NGC PF 67 BN (lot 3003)
• an 1851 Silver Dollar Restrike graded NGC PF 63 (lot 3109)
• an 1852 $50 Humbert graded NGC AU 53 (lot 3491)
• an 1867 5 Cents J-565 Pattern graded NGC PF 66 Cameo (lot 3455)
• a 1903 Louisiana Purchase Gold Dollar Cardboard 3-Die Trial with Pattern Reverse certified by NGC (lot 3483)
• a 1913 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle graded NGC PF 68 (lot 3431)
• a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round $50 graded NGC UNC Details (lot 3441)

Elsewhere, a dozen NGC-certified gold rarities from the collection of singer Rick Springfield are also being offered.