1857-O $2.50 NGC MS61 CAC

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This is a numismatically significant issue as it is the final quarter eagle made at the New Orleans mint. It is also scarce in properly graded Uncirculated, especially with natural color and surfaces. This very fresh example shows nice rich orange-gold color atop clean, frosty surfaces. A small speck of dirt at the LI in LIBERTY further attests to its originality and this is a premium coin for the date and grade.

1889 $10.00 PCGS MS61

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Not many people are aware of this date's true scarcity but only 4,485 business strikes were made and until some AU55 to MS61 examples were located in Europe a few years ago, it was almost never seen above the AU50 level. This bright lustrous example is typical for the issue in that it has a number of abrasions on the surfaces; it seems that most of the survivors were shipped loose in bags to Europe and picked up some chatter on the way. There is no rub on the high spots and enough body remains to suggest a grade of at least a point higher. The last PCGS MS61 to appear at auction was Heritage 11/11: 4379 that sold for $6,038. That coin was just a bit nicer than the present example (and it had a CAC sticker) but this coin is priced at a more affordable level. A good value for the savvy collector of Liberty Head eagles

1884-CC $20.00 NGC MS60

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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.

1856 $20.00 NGC AU55 CAC

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The 1856 is one of my very favorite Type One double eagles and I think it is highly undervalued, especially in the higher AU grades. This clean, attractive example has a nice "Euro" appearance with even deep green-gold hues that cover minimally abraded and still-lustrous surfaces. While really a tough issue to find in this grade, the 1856 is doubly tough with natural color and surfaces. A very pleasing coin for the date and grade and one of the better values in the entire Type One series.

1863-S $5.00 PCGS VF25

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Only 17,000 were struck; most were melted and less than 100 are known today. Well worn but clean, original and really an appealing example of this scarce Civil War issue. After years and years of neglect, affordable truly rare gold coins such as this 1863-S half eagle are (finally) popular as collectors recognize what excellent value they represent.

1869 $2.50 PCGS MS63 CAC

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Only 4,320 business strikes were produced and while not as scarce in circulated grades as one might believe, the 1869 quarter eagle is very rare in full Mint State with an estimated six to eight known. This example, which is the only piece graded MS63 that has been approved by CAC, could well be the finest known 1869 quarter eagle. It is semi-proofike but with more than enough frosty within the surfaces to have a business strike-like "look." The surfaces are lightly toned in rich lemon-gold hues and the naked-eye appearance is suggestive of a point higher. There are a few wispy lines on the obverse and a very small, very faint mint-made flake between the final two stars on the obverse. Coins like this are a sort of Final Frontier in 19th century gold collecting: an issue that is not solely a condition rarity, that has claims to finest known status and yet is compellingly priced.

1849-C Open Wreath $1.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

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This issue is popular as a first-year-of-type for the denomination and from this mint as well. It is considerably scarcer than the 1851-C, 1852-C and 1853-C and is second only to the 1850-C in terms of overall rarity from this mint for Type One dollars. This coin is a full AU55 that has been conservativekly graded by PCGS, probably on account of a small mark behind the lower portion of Liberty's bun. It is well detailed with good luster and nice light greenish-gold color. Unlike many 1849-C dollars, this piece has good balance between the obverse and the reverse. I highly recommend this piece for the new collector of Southern gold.

1843-D $2.50 PCGS AU50

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Small D mintmark variety. With decent EF examples of this date now bringing in the $2000-2250+ range, how can you not like a solid-for-the-grade PCGS AU50 for just a few hundred bucks more? This example is dirty and original with deep natural green-gold color that is accentuated by a swath of darker color in the right obverse field. As is typical for the date, the strike is bold and this would make a great (and affordable) D mint quarter eagle type coin.