1853-O $1.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

A very choice coin for the grade with good luster and pleasing medium green-gold color on the obverse and the reverse. A few small scuffs limit the grade but this piece has better eye appeal than many examples that I have seen in MS63 holders. A great introductory coin for the collector who would like an affordable but charismatic Type One gold dollar from the New Orleans mint.

CAC has approved seven in this grade with 11 finer.

1894-O $5.00 NGC MS62

Only three New Orleans half eagles bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse and the 1894-O is the penultimate of this trio. It is far scarcer than the 1893-O but not as rare as the 1892-O. The 1894-O is generally seen in the AU53-MS60 range and it is rare in properly graded MS62. In all my years of specializing in New Orleans gold I have only handled a small number finer than MS62 and the present example is a fresh, pleasing coin with natural green-gold and orange colors atop highly reflective, lightly scuffed surfaces. Only five slabbed MS62 examples of the 1894-O half eagle have appeared at auction since 2000 and the last sale was a PCGS coin that brought $3,220 as Heritage 11/11: 4331.

1851-D $2.50 NGC MS62 CAC

This fresh-to-the-market coin was discovered at the recent Philadelphia ANA show, sold to a wholesale dealer and was then sold to me. This is the first time it has ever been offered to collectors and it is one of the more important individual Dahlonega quarter eagles that I've handled all year. This is a date that is not generally seen with good eye appeal but there are a few higher quality pieces known that are attractive. This is clearly one of those. It is well struck and fully original with nice natural green-gold color and soft, satiny luster. There are no describable marks and if this coin were graded MS63 it would not look out of place in the holder. I know of approximately six Uncirculated 1851-D quarter eagles. The finest is the NGC MS65/PCGS MS64 Duke's Creek: 1508 coin that sold for $63,250 in April 2006. There are three coins graded MS62 by PCGS. One is in a Georgia collection and is ex Jasper Robertson: 1267 while another is a coin that I sold to a Kansas collector and it is from the Chestatee collection. The NGC population report shows an MS64 but I believe that this is the Duke's Creek coin mentioned above. There are no auction records for an MS62 since the aforementioned Chestatee coin that sold for $12,075 back in August 1999; the Robertson coin, then graded MS61, sold for a rousing $28,000 in the 1999 FUN auction. The present example is solidly in the Condition Census for the date and it is the best 1851-D quarter eagle that I've handled since the finest known Duke's Creek coin that I sold over six years ago. This is an extremely important coin for the serious Dahlonega collector.

This is the only 1851-D quarter eagle in MS62 to be approved by CAC with none finer.

1893-O $5.00 PCGS MS62

Unlike most of the MS62 examples of this date that I have handled, this piece is not riddled with abrasions on the surfaces. It is choice and original with soft, satiny luster covered by gentle green-gold hues. The 1893-O is the most available of the three With Motto half eagles and it is the only one that can be found, from time to time, in MS62 to MS63 grades. At half the price of an MS63, I like the value that this piece affords.

1892-S $20.00 PCGS MS62 OGH

Old Green Label Holder. I believe that this coin remains an MS62 by today's standards. It is high end with good luster and color. Probably from an overseas source as there is a slight "Euro" appearance with contrast between the devices and fields.

1887-S $20.00 PCGS MS62

The 1887-S is the scarcest San Francisco double eagle produced after 1882. For years it was a totally unheralded sleeper but it has become better recognized by specialists. This date is moderately scarce in MS60 to MS61, scarce in MS62 and rare in MS63 and better. For most collectors, an MS62 represents the "sweet spot" for this date as a properly graded PCGS MS63, if available, will cost in the area of $14,000-15,000. This example is choice and original with very attractive rose and green-gold color with a splash or orange at the central obverse. There are a few light ticks in the fields that are consistent with the assigned grade. The last two APR's for PCGS MS62 1887-S double eagles are $4,600 for Heritage 1/12: 6706 and $4,888 for Stack's Bowers 11/11: 9929 (approved by CAC).

1847 $5.00 NGC MS62

The 1847 is one of the more available No Motto half eagles in higher grades but it is not common in properly graded MS62 and even harder to find with the sort of "look" that this choice example shows. The surfaces are frosty and clean with lovely deep, rich green-gold color. There are a few light dirt spots clinging to the letters and one larger area of dirt (possibly a grease stain?) at the dead center of the obverse. This choice, sharply struck piece has clearly never been cleaned or dipped and it would make a perfect type example for the collector with sophisticated tastes but a somewhat limited budget.

1875 $20.00 NGC MS62+

Around a month ago I owned a virtual twin to this coin and it sold quickly to a type collector who was searching for an affordable high grade Type Two double eagle. This second example is just a few obverse ticks away from being an $8,000+ coin and, I believe, it represents great value for the collector who wants a high quality example of this conditionally scarce type.

CAC has approved nineteen examples of this date in MS62 (they do not breakdown these figures into MS62+) with just one finer (an MS63).