1926 $2.50 Sesquicentennial MS66 认证号50085130, PCGS号7466

Ron Guth

In 1926, the U.S. celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by issuing two commemorative coins, a half dollar and a $2.50 gold piece.  The front of the $2.50 gold piece features a full-length image of Liberty holding a torch in her outstretched right arm and an unfurling scroll in the other.  The back of the coin is a frontal view of Independence Hall, where the delegates met and signed the document. 

The $2.50 Sesqui has the largest mintage of any early gold commemorative by far, apparently in anticipation of strong collector demand.  PCGS alone has certified over 11,000 examples, representing almost a fourth of the total mintage.  The most common grade is MS64, followed by MS63, then MS65.  MS66 examples are scarce, but not rare, the result of the low relief design and the open, vulnerable devices.  No MS67 examples are known yet, and if such a high-grade piece were to hit the market, the value would be astonishing.