1863-S $5 (1863-S Half Eagle) NGC XF45. Civil War Half Eagle. This circulated, branch mint, Civil War dated 1863-S Half Eagle has traces of mint luster remaining in protected areas. Except for the first and second, the centers of the stars are full as is the lower left of the shield. The grade is warranted because all of the details of Libertys hair down her neck show, and the lower part of the coronet is strong. For the grade, the surfaces are clean and free of marks worthy of individual mention.

Christian Gobrechts design for the Liberty Head half eagle shows a left facing profile of Liberty wearing a LIBERTY inscribed coronet. Her hair is tied in the back and there are two loose curls that hang down her neck. Around the head are thirteen six-pointed stars, and the date is below the truncation. At the periphery of the coin are dentils. The coin also has a reeded edge. The reverse of the coin shows a heraldic eagle similar to the one on the Classic Head eagle. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the eagle, except for its wing tips, in an arc. The denomination is below, separated with dots, and written as FIVE D. The mintmark is below the eagle and above the denomination.

Because coins were in short supply at the time, the San Francisco production of half eagles was used in commerce, and few were saved. Most that are available to collectors today are in very low grades or damaged. In its population report NGC shows 7 certified in XF45 with 32 better. None are in mint state.