1877-CC $20.00 PCGS MS62

In the early 1990's, a small group of high quality 1877-CC Carson City double eagles was found overseas and repatriated to the United States. They were sold mostly in the Bowers and Merena Stetson auction in 1993 and the present example, I believe, is from this group. It is tied with a small number of other coins as the single highest graded example of this date and it is certainly one of the finest--if not the finest--1877-CC available to collectors. The best feature of this coin is its superb natural deep orange-gold color which is accentuated by darker highlights on the relief areas of the obverse and, to a lesser degree, on the reverse. There are a few light scuffs on Liberty's face and neck; the central reverse shows some abrasions and there is a scrape right below the mintmark that serves as identification. With the popularity of Carson City double eagles reaching an all-time high, coins like this become more and more in demand.

1872-CC $20.00 PCGS EF45 CAC

This is one of the few really nice examples of this date that I have seen in an EF45 holder; most are overgraded, overdipped and overabraded. The surfaces are extremely clean with limited abrasions and attractive medium natural green-gold color. The 1872-CC is the first double eagle from this mint that can be acquired by the collector of average means. It is comparable to the 1873-CC but it is a touch more available in higher grades. I rank it as the fifth rarest of nineteen CC double eagles in terms of high grade rarity. This issue becomes pricey in AU grades and, to my eyes, this choice EF example has better eye appeal than most graded AU50 or even AU53.

1852 $20.00 NGC MS61 CAC

Normal Date variety. For many collectors, the most realistic Type One double eagles to acquire in Uncirculated are the 1851 and 1852. A few years ago, it was possible to buy a nice, fresh Mint State example for around $5,000. But these coins are hugely popular and prices have now crept up to the $7,000-8,000 range. This lovely fresh-to-the-market example has great orange-gold and rose color atop slightly scuffy but very frosty and vibrant surfaces. There is no evidence whatsoever of dipping and the naked-eye appearance is very high end for both the date and grade. If you need a nice Type One double eagle for your set, I'd suggest you don't wait any longer as it is not out of the question that similar quality coins will approach the five-figure marks in just a couple of years.

1874-CC $20.00 PCGS EF40

Recently expatriated from Europe and graded by PCGS (somewhat conservatively I might add) in their Paris office. Nice and dirty with some underlying luster and attractive natural coloration. The surfaces are very clean for the issue. I think this coin compares favorably with the PCGS EF45 CAC example of this date which I just sold.