1889 $20.00 NGC MS61

When gold was $750 an ounce, dates like the 1889 sold for significant market premiums over common Type Three double eagles. But now that gold has soared to over $1,800, the premium factor for the 1889 is next to nothing. This means that you can buy a genuinely scarce coin for essentially no premium. No brainer, eh? Not only is this an easy coin to appreciate its value, its a choice, original piece with handsome color and natural luster. Take advantage of values like this while you can!

1859-S $20.00 NGC AU53 CAC

This is certainly not a scarce date until you get into the Mint State grades but locating choice, unmolested About Uncirculated examples is much harder than you might think. In my experience, most 1859-S double eagles have been dipped and show extensive abrasions as well. This choice example has attractive deep original color and a considerable amount of luster for the grade. To find a finer 1859-D double eagle in this date and price range will prove next to impossible.

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.

1876-CC $20.00 NGC AU55

This nicely detailed mid-range AU example would make an excellent type coin for the double eagle collector due to its very clean surfaces. Both sides show light rose color and have a good amount of luster.

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.

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.

1892-CC $20.00 NGC AU58

This choice slider example is nearly free of wear but there is just a slight amount of friction on the high spots of the obverse. Both sides are free of significant marks and there is some nice light rose color. I saw two MS60 examples of this date trade at ANA for around $8,000 each and both were heavily abraded.