1853/2 $20.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

Its status as the only overdate in the Liberty Head double eagle series makes the 1853/2 a very in-demand coin. It is especially desirable in collector grades (i.e., EF40 to AU50) and it becomes prohibitively expensive in the higher AU to Mint State range. This lustrous example has light green-gold color and very good detail. Its shows the diagnostic die dot below the right foot of the R in LIBERTY and the "spray" behind the neck of Liberty (a clashmark). Remarkably, there has been but one PCGS AU50 example of this variety sold at auction since 2004, Heritage 7/10: 4823 which brought $4,313.

This is the only CAC approved example of this date in AU50. Three finer pieces have been approved as well.

1864 $20.00 PCGS AU50

While certainly not as scarce as the 1862 and 1863 Philadelphia double eagles, the 1864 is a tough date in its own right, especially with non-shipwreck surfaces and natural color. This example is very clean for the issue with no deep marks and both sides are covered with medium green-gold color that changes to pale red-gold at the borders.

1852-C $5.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

A textbook example for the grade with good detail, outstanding peripheral orange-gold color and a decent amount of remaining luster. The 1852-C is among the more common Charlotte half eagles which make this a perfect date for type purposes. Some light marks in the left obverse field do not detract.

CAC has approved three in this grade with twelve finer.

1867 $20.00 PCGS AU50 CAC, OGH

Old Green Holder. By today's standards I grade this coin a solid AU55 with a shot to grade AU58. It has a nice medium to deep orange-gold and green "Euro" appearance but it is not overly dark. This date is usually seen with pronounced abrasions in the fields and this coin is cleaner than usual. A very nice Type Two double eagle.

CAC has approved one example in AU50 with eighteen finer than this.

1856-S $20.00 PCGS AU50 CAC Gold Sticker, OGH

Old Green Holder. CAC Gold Sticker. By today's standards, this piece grades at least AU55 if not AU58. A choice, original example and clearly not a seawater coin as it was encapsulated prior to the discovery of the S.S. Central America hoard. Satiny with light rose and orange-gold coloration gives this coin good eye appeal and the surfaces are very clean for the issue.

CAC has approved two in AU50 with seventeen finer. There population report does not designate how many have received gold stickers but I would assume the number is very small.

1846-O $5.00 NGC AU50 CAC

This was a date that I used to see from time to time but, for some reason, the supply of decent 1846-O half eagles has dried up in recent years. I'm not sure if someone is hoarding these or if the popularity of New Orleans gold amongst collectors has dried-up the supply. The present example is the first 1846-O half eagle that I've offered in some time and it has nice medium orange-gold and greenish hues atop relatively choice surfaces. There have been just five APR's for 1846-O half eagles in AU50 in the last decade and the high water mark is $3,738 set by Heritage 1/06: 5159.

CAC has approved just this one 1846-O half eagle in AU50 with five finer.

1858-S $20.00 NGC AU50 CAC

Well struck and clean for the grade with nice natural green-gold color. At less than $3,000, coins such as this are very good value and represent a nice "double play" with nearly an ounce of bullion coupled with genuine numismatic scarcity.

1853-C $5.00 NGC AU50

This example has the exact look that I really like on a Southern branch mint coin: dark, deep russet and green-gold splashes with plenty of dirt seen in the protected areas. There isn't any luster to speak of but this is primarily on account on the depth of the color. There is a small hairline in the left obverse field and a tiny rim mark at 4:00 that appears to be of mint origin. Good value at less than $3,000.

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.