1850 $20.00 NGC AU55 CAC

This numismatically significant issue is one of the few Type One double eagles that has "cross-collector" appeal. In other words, it is an issue that a collector who is not a typical buyer of Type Ones will still want a nice 1850 due to its status as the first collectable year of issue for this denomination. This specific example is extremely pleasing for the grade with medium natural yellowish-green gold color atop satiny surfaces. The obverse is clean and quite choice; the reverse shows a few small scattered marks that limit the grade. AU55 is sort of a "sweet spot" for this issue as lower grade pieces might not have good eye appeal while higher grade pieces are very expensive.

CAC has approved ten in this grade with fifteen finer.

1850 $20.00 PCGS EF40 CAC

An uncommonly clean example of this popular first-year issue with just a few small marks seen in the fields. Light grteen with some slightly deeper contrasting hues seen on the high spots of the obverse and the reverse. Clearly, a high end coin for the grade and always in demand.

CAC has approved five in this grade and forty-one finer.

From the RYK Collection.

1850 $20.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

Its status as a first collectable year of issue makes the 1850 among the most sought-after Type One double eagles. This date has become rather pricey in the higher AU grades but nice AU50's still seem reasonable to me. This is an uncommonly clean coin for the date and grade with very few abrasions seen on satiny surfaces. The color is a nice natural yellow-gold shade and there is plentiful luster seen on both sides. Here's an interesting factoid about this issue: of the 134 that have been graded by PCGS in AU50, only six (or less than 5%) have been approved by CAC. Even factoring in resbmissions, I think its safe to say that fewer than one in ten examples of this date in AU50 are nice enough to be stickered by CAC.

From the RYK Collection.

1850 $20.00 NGC AU53 CAC

This numismatically significant issue is the first collectable double eagle from the Philadelphia mint and it has an appearance that tends to be much different than the Type One issues that follow it. It is typically found better struck and there are some higher grade coins (in the MS62/63 range) that have superb color and detail. Circulated examples are relatively available but many are heavily abraded and most have been dipped or messwed with. This naturally toned example has pleasing mdeium to deep green-gold color atop very clean surfaces. A few marks rest in the left obverse field; the reverse is choice and very crusty with lots of dirt caked into the recesses. This is an issue you can afford to be pretty picky when you are looking for one but I think tis example will meet the requirements of even the fussiest collector.

1850 $5.00 NGC AU55 CAC

With the exception of the 1842 varieties, the 1850 is the scarcest half eagle struck at the Philadelphia mint prior to the Civil War. It is much scarcer than either the 1850-C or 1850-D yet it is priced at a fraction of these two popular branch mint issues. This choice, original example shows nice natural green gold color atop satiny, non-abraded surfaces. There is a small dig on the obverse near the bridge of Liberty's nose that runs up to the area between the fifth and sixth stars. For the price, this is one of the scarcer gold issues from this era that the collector will be able to find.

1850 $20.00 PCGS EF45 CAC

Nicely detailed and very lustrous with rich, attractive orange-gold color seen on the obverse and reverse. The surfaces are a bit abraded and if they were just a touch cleaner, this coin would clearly grade AU50 or better as it has plenty of body for the grade. CAC has approved just seven examples in this grade with another twenty-seven higher than this.

1850 $20.00 PCGS AU55

This is an attractive and interesting coin with a good back story. I bought it from a well-known wholesale dealer who had purchased it out of the 2011 ANA sale (see the pedigree below) expecting it to grade AU58. I can see why he thought this as the coin has superb deep green-gold color, nice luster and just a small amount of wear on both sides. I'm guesing the reason(s) it didn't grade AU58 are a series of very fine mint-made grease stains on the obverse from between stars seven and eight down into the upper left field through the coronet tip.In my opinion, this coin has better cosmetic appeal than 75% of all the 1850 double eagles that I have seen in AU58 holders and I love its color and originality. A pleasing example of the first collectible double eagle from the Philadelphia mint.

Ex Stack's Bowers 2011 ANA: 9658, where it sold for $6,900.

1850 Large Date $10.00 NGC AU58

There are two distinct varieties of 1850 eagle: the Small Date (the rarer of the two) and the Large Date. The date size on the 1850 Large Date is not as mis-spaced as it is on the 1854-O Large Date eagle but it is easy to recognize, especially in comparison to the Small Date 1850 eagle. The 1850 Large Date is underrated in higher grades and it is actually quite scarce in the lower Mint State grades and very rare in MS62 and above. This very frosty slider shows characteristic light green-gold color with choice surfaces and great detail. There are a few small grease stains near star ten on the obverse that are mint-made. Philadelphia No Motto eagles in AU grades offer the collector with sophisticated taste but a limited bidget the opportunity to purchase very interesting coins that contain a half ounce of gold for very affordable sums.