1868 $20.00 NGC AU53 CAC

The 1868 was a "secret" date for many years but its scarcity is now well-known amongst collectors of double eagles. In fact, it is the single scarcest Type Two double eagle from the Philadelphia mint. In my experience, it is seldom available above AU50 and when it is, examples tend to be very low end with poor quality surfaces and no originality. This piece appears to have originated from a European source as it has the dark, rich yellow-gold color with contrasting highlights that is found on coinss that have been stored in overseas valuts. There is a good deal of "meat" below the color and there are fewer marks than usual for the date and grade on the surfaces. If you are collecting this series by date, you know that there aren't many nice 1868 double eagles out there and with Choice AU pieces selling for close to five figures the importance of this nice examples gains in stature and importance. This is one of just two approved by CAC in this grade with six finer.