1880-O $10.00 PCGS AU55

Simpson/Hall pedigree.. This date has been a favorite of mine for many years. Only 9,200 were struck and it is the third rarest With Motto eagle from this mint after the very rare 1883-O and the rare 1879-O. When available, the 1880-O eagle is typically seen in the EF40 to AU50 range and nice mid-range to high-range AU's are quite scarce. This very lustrous example would grade AU58 were it not for a few marks on Liberty's neck. It displays considerable mint luster and has nice orange-gold and rose coloration. The last PCGS AU55 example to sell at auction was the Heritage 2010 ANA coin that brought $3,450. Since then, the market for better date Liberty Head eagles has risen appreciably and I think this coin is good value.

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.

1889-CC $20.00 PCGS MS61 CAC

There was still a strong demand for double eagles in commerce during the late 1880's as evidenced by the fact that most 1889-CC's are seen with a good deal of wear. The 1889-CC is a scarce issue in Uncirculated and nearly all examples that are "new" grade MS60 to MS61. This example is notable for being among the more original 1889-CC double eagles known and it shows lovely deep, rich rose and orange-gold color on the obverse and reverse. Both sides lack the spots typically seen on this issue and the luster is excellent. There are some light abrasions on the obverse that limit the grade while the reverse is very choice and it grades at least MS62 on its own. This is one of just two 1889-CC double eagles in MS61 to have been given CAC approval and only two finer examples currently exist with CAC stickers.

1814/3 $5.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

BD-1. High R-4/Low R-5. Fewer than 100 pieces are known in all grades. Struck from strongly clashed dies as is typical for this issue. A lovely example of this rarity with great luster, a nice strike and pleasing light to medium pale rose and orange-gold coloration on the obverse and reverse. A few trivial marks on the obverse narrowly remove this from the MS63 level. The 1814/3 is many times rarer than the 1813 and compares favorably with the 1818 and 1820 in the fabled Capped Bust half eagle type that was produced from 1813 to 1829. A nice PCGS MS62 1813 half eagle in MS62 with a CAC sticker is worth around $20,000 in this market. At around a 25% premium, the 1814/3 in this grade seems like an amazing value to me as it is far, far scarcer and nearly impossible to find choicer. In September 2008, Superior auctioned a decent quality PCGS MS62 example for $27,600. If you are looking for this a nice example of this fabled type, you would be hard-pressed to find better value than this 1814/3!

Ex Heritage 8/11: 7540 where it sold for $22,450

1834 $2.50 NGC MS65 CAC

Classic Head variety. Small Head. A remarkable coin that appears to be among the first Classic Head quarter eagles produced from this die pair given its nearly fully reflective surfaces. This is the sort of coin that before third-party certification was sometimes called a "Proof" or "Specimen Strike" and it has amazing eye appeal as a result of its reflectivness and rich orange-gold color. There are a few small ticks in the fields but this is clearly a special coin. Classic Head quarter eagles in Gem have peculiar auction records. PCGS is brutally tough when grading these MS65 or better and the only two sales records in the last few years for PCGS 65's (both in 2008) were $54,625 and and $89,125 respectively. I have, as you can no doubt guess, tried to cross this coin to PCGS given its higher value and, so far, have had no luck. But I do think this it has some potential of crossing in the future (especially if it were submitted with the "right" coins) and, obviously, it has enormous upside. But you are buying a coin and not a holder (hopefully) and you should be aware that this is one of the finest Classic Head quarter eagles to be available in some time. Only three 1834 Classic Head quarter eagles in MS65 have been approved by CAC with just one better.

1864 $3.00 NGC MS62 CAC

One of just 2,630 struck and the second rarest Civil War Three Dollar gold piece after the 1865. This is a beautiful, crisp example with lovely yellow-gold and rose color atop highly lustrous surfaces. As on all known business strikes of this date there are some vertical striations as made but the luster and "flash" of the surfaces make these very unobtrusive. A few tiny marks at the lower obverse are really all that keep this from a much higher grade and it is a coin of uncommon appeal for the date. The last MS62 to appear at auction was back in March 2009 and only five pieces in this grade have sold at auction since 2004. Only one other 1864 Three Dollar in MS62 has received CAC approval. Great value at current levels as are so many dates in this series.

1854-S $20.00 NGC AU55

Not many non-specialists are aware of this but the 1854-S is one of the hardest Type One double eagles to find with original color and surfaces. There are dozens of 1854-S double eagles graded AU55 and higher but virtually all are from the S.S. Yankee Blade shipwreck and have seawater surfaces. I have only personally seen or handled two or three Uncirculated 1854-S double eagles that were original (none were better than MS61) and the present example is one of the two or three best circulated pieces that I have seen or owned. It shows lovely deep green-gold color with darker highlights. My guess is that it was found in Europe and somehow has escaped the conservation that has befallen most of the non-shipwreck examples of this date. Yes, it's expensive (I had to really pay up for it!) but if you are a very savvy buyer of Type One double eagles you know how rare and important this coin is.

1854-S $10.00 NGC AU53

Although it isn't a rare coin, I have always liked the 1854-S eagle as it is the first year of issue for the San Francisco mint and it has great Gold Rush connotations. While dozens have been graded AU53 to AU55, few of these have original color and surfaces and this example is very pleasing for the grade with deep orange-gold and rose hues. Although a bit "ticky" from rough handling in commerce, this piece has quite a bit of sharpness and it has the appearance of a coin that grades higher. Even if you don't collect eagles, this is a neat issue to own and one that should be in any collection of branch mint gold.

1808 $5.00 PCGS AU53 CAC

BD-4, Rarity-3. Normal Date, Wide 5D. A choice, original mid-range AU example with nice medium to deep green-gold color on the obverse and reverse. There is some underlying luster and the strike is excellent with sharp centers and borders. There are no adjustment marks or pesky abrasions; a small reverse scratch below the motto is faint and hard to see without a 5x glass. This coin is certainly as nice as many that I see in AU55 holders and with just a bit more luster it would clearly have graded higher. This is about the nicest available Capped Bust Left half eagle that one is likely to find for less than $10,000 and it would make a great type coin for the collector who appreciates original early gold.