NGC-certified Coins from the US Mint’s Earliest Years Offered by Heritage

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a remarkable selection of early American coins certified by NGC® offers a tangible link to the country’s founding era. These historic pieces, including a high-grade half eagle from the 18th century, can be found in Heritage Auctions’ US Coins Signature Auction on March 26-28, 2026.

Among the featured coins in this auction is a 1796/5 Half Eagle graded NGC MS 64 (lot 3169). Struck at the dawn of federal gold coinage, this coin was produced when the United States Mint was still defining its processes and output. Bearing an overdate that reflects the Mint’s practical reuse of dies, the issue captures the improvisational reality of America’s first gold coinage. Scholars suggest that fewer than 2,000 examples were struck and perhaps only 80 to 100 survive today in all conditions. Of the 34 examples listed in the NGC Census, only one is graded higher than this example.

Other NGC-certified coins in this sale include:

• a 1796 Quarter graded NGC XF 45 (lot 3039)
• an 1893-S Morgan Dollar graded NGC AU 53 (lot 3111)
• a 1921 Morgan Dollar – Chapman Proof graded NGC PF 62 (lot 3128)
• a 1796/5 Half Eagle graded NGC MS 64 (lot 3169)
• an 1879 Flowing Hair $4 Stella graded NGC PF 65 Cameo (lot 3167)
• a 1799 Eagle graded NGC MS 60 (lot 3213)
• a 1907 Eagle graded NGC PF 63 Cameo (lot 3222)
• an 1892-S Double Eagle graded NGC MS 65 (lot 3250)
• a 1925 Double Eagle graded NGC MS 67 (lot 3280)
• a 2020-W $50 Gold Eagle with a V75 Privy and pedigreed as one of 1945 Struck accompanied by a First Day of Issue designation graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo (lot 3297)