1875-CC $20.00 PCGS MS60

Generally speaking a CC double eagle graded MS60 is going to have surfaces that are a total mess. This example happens to be surprisingly clean for the grade and has better eye appeal than others I have seen in MS61 holders. The surfaces are very frosty and show nice orange-gold color that is a bit more intense on the reverse than on the obverse. The 1875-CC is by far the most available Type Two double eagle from this mint and, as such, it makes an ideal type coin for the collector who seeks a solitary higher quality piece.

1891-S $20.00 PCGS MS60 OGH

Old Green Label Holder. I grade this coin MS61 to MS62 by today's standards and it shows very attractive rich orange-gold color on the obverse and the reverse.

1850-D $2.50 PCGS MS60 CAC

While not as widely regarded as its 1851-D and 1852-D quarter eagle counterparts, the 1850-D is a scarce issue in its own right, especially in higher grades. When I wrote the first edition of my Dahlonega book, I was aware of just one or two Uncirculated coins. Through the miracles of gradeflation, a few new Uncirculated coins have been "discovered" but I doubt if more than three to five Mint State coins are known with none finer than MS62. Although this coin is "only" an MS60, it has phenomenal eye appeal for the issue with lovely deep even honey-gold and greenish colors seen on the obverse and reverse. The strike is far above average for the issue with just minor weakness at the centers and, for the grade, there is less friction than one might expect. The best 1850-D quarter eagle that I am aware of is a PCGS MS62 that is ex Heritage 3/11: 4637 where it brought $27,600. Every other properly graded Uncirculated example of this date is off the market in a tightly-held collection, making this lovely example an important opportunity for the advanced Dahlonega gold collector.

1890-CC $10.00 NGC MS60

A solid coin for the grade and one which, unlike most CC eagles in MS60 holders, is really new. This example has good luster with very rich mint frost clearly seen below light rose and yellow-gold color. The 1890-CC is many times scarcer than the 1891-CC yet it commands less than a 2x premium in the lower Mint State grades. This affordable example is perfect for the new collector who wants a high grade Carson City eagle but who wants to avoid the ubiquitous 1891-CC.

1854 Small Date $20.00 NGC MS60

Small Date variety. In most instances, a Type One double eagle graded MS60 is a wreck. These coins tend to be either very dull or excessively abraded. The present example is neither and, to the naked eye, it looks more like an MS62. This coin is bright and lustrous with lovely natural light green-gold color that changes slightly to reddish-gold as it is tilted towards a light source. What is most remarkable about this coin, though, is its immaculate nearly mark-free surfaces; certainly not what you expect to see on this date and certainly not in a 60 holder. The 1854 Small Date is extremely scarce in full Uncirculated and I typically don't see more than two or three per year (and almost all of these are in the MS60 to MS61 range). The last Uncirculated 1854 Small Date double eagle to sell at auction was the PCGS MS61 Goldberg 2/11: 1875 coin that brought $10,063. In my opinion, this NGC MS60 is a much more pleasing example with superior eye appeal.

1863 $5.00 NGC MS60 CAC

This is among the most exciting coins that I have offered this year, both for the Liberty Head half eagle specialist and for the collector who is focused on highly important rarities. Only 2,442 1863 half eagles were struck and this is, in my opinion, the second rarest half eagle from this mint after the 1875. There are fewer than three dozen known in all grades and the few that exist tend to be in the EF40 to AU50 range and are characterized by very poor eye appeal. This fresh example has fully original sunset-gold colors on the obverse and reverse and full satiny luster. The surfaces are remarkably choice with just a few small scuffs visible to the naked eye and there is a complete absence of rub or wear on the high spots. I feel that NGC was conservative when they graded this coin as it has the visual appeal of a coin that grades at least a point or two higher. NGC has recorded two examples of this date in Uncirculated: this piece in MS60 and an MS61. I have never seen the MS61 but I'm told, from reliable sources, that it is nowhere near as nice as the present example. I believe that this coin is the single finest known business strike 1863 half eagle; a rather remarkable feat considering the rarity of this issue and its high collector appeal due to its Civil War date of issue. I don't have to stress the importance of this offering and it is certain to become a centerpiece in its new collection.

1840 $2.50 NGC MS60

This numismatically significant issue represents the very first quarter eagle struck with the new Liberty Head design at the Philadelphia mint. The 1840 was not saved in any quantity and it is seldom seen above EF45 to AU50. In fact, until the discovery of a small group of MS63 to MS64 examples in the mid-1990's, the 1840 quarter eagle was essentially unavailable in Uncirculated (with the exception of the Bass-Garrett example which is now in a PCGS MS64 holder). The present example is fresh and would grade at least a point or two higher if it were not for some weakness of strike which is fairly pronounced at the centers. The surfaces are slightly scuffy but have warm, rich golden-orange and greenish color which are indicative of this piece never having been dipped or lightened. It would be an interesting to combine this coin with a high grade 1840 half eagle and eagle and assemble a three piece "first year of issue" Liberty Head gold trio.

1882-CC $20.00 NGC MS60

This coin has a really outstanding "look" with naturally bright and very frosty surfaces that are splashed with golden-orange color which deepens towards the borders. The obverse has some marks in the fields while the reverse is choice and grades at least an MS61 to MS62 on its own. As a date, the 1882-CC is considerably scarcer in high grades than generally known. When seen in Uncirculated, it typically grades MS60 to MS61 and is riddled with marks; I haven't seen one better than MS62 in years. Only one MS60 has appeared at auction in the last three years (a PCGS coin) and this is the first I have handled in some time.

1884-CC $20.00 NGC MS60

Not like I had anything to do with it (ahem...) but I've noted that CC double eagles have become more and more popular in the last few years, especially in the $5,000-10,000 range. It wasn't that long ago that I could find a decent number of these at shows but those days seem long gone and now I'm lucky to find one or two nice, fresh coins like this 1884-CC at a major convention. This choice, frosty example has lovely rich orange-gold color with contrasting darker highlights on both sides. For the grade, the surfaces are extremely clean and I've seen many pieces with "busier" surfaces in MS60 holders. The 1884-CC is among the more available double eagles from this mint and it tends to be well-produced, making it perfect for use as a type coin.