1873-S Half Eagle - 1873-S $5 PCGS AU53. This eye-appealing, Western branch mint 1873-S Half Eagle has highlights of bright mint luster in protected areas and is composed of a mixture of yellow and rose-gold. The coin shows an above average strike with full details on the centers of the stars and the area to the lower left of the shield. There is just a touch of wear on the highest points, in keeping with the grade. The surfaces are original and clean for the grade. The vertical stripes on the obverse and the scuff marks on the lower reverse are on the holder not the coin.

In its first year of operation the San Francisco Mint made four million dollars in gold coins from bullion. The second building, the Old United States Mint, was designed by Alfred B. Mullett in Greek Revival style. It was built in an E-shape with a central pediment portico. There was a completely enclosed courtyard that had a well. It was these features that saved it in the fire that resulted from the earthquake of 1906. The building was situated on a concrete and granite foundation that was made to prevent tunneling into its vaults. In 1906 there was $300 million, a third of the United States gold reserves, in its vaults. Frank Leach and his men worked heroically to successfully preserve the building and the bullion. The mint was able to resume service and operated until 1937. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

Since most of the building was made of sandstone, the nickname of The Granite Lady is a misnomer. Only the basement was made from granite. It was opened to visitors in 1993 and sold to the City of San Francisco for one dollar in 2003 for use as the Museum of the City of San Francisco.

The New Mint was opened in 1937 and made circulating coinage beginning in 1955. In 1968 most proof coinage was made there. Business strike supplemental coinage was struck there from 1968 to 1974. Since 1974, the mint has been used only for proof coinage with the exception of the Anthony Dollar and some early 1980s cents. From 1962 to 1988 the mint was officially an assay office. It became a mint again in 1988.

In its population report, PCGS shows that it has certified 4 1873-S half eagles in AU53 condition with 6 better.