1855-O $20.00 NGC EF45 CAC

Pittman Collection Pedigree. The 1855-O is the third rarest New Orleans double eagle, after the 1854-O and the 1856-O. Given that nice examples of either of these dates is a $200,000++ expenditure, for most collectors the 1855-O is the most important double eagle from this mint that they will purchase. The 1855-O is a nearly impossible issue to find with original color and nice surfaces and this coin is far above-average in both regards. It is very well detailed and it has not been scrubbed or dipped as shown by its warm greenish-gold patina. Most amazingly, it shows only a few very light abrasions in the fields. This example is immediately recognizable by a small natural planchet flaw on the obverse rim below the 55 in the date. This actually adds character to the appearance, in my opinion, and in no way detracts. While not identified on the holder by NGC, this is clearly the Pittman coin and it is one of the last major double eagles that he acquired in his storied collecting career. The last EF45 to sell was Heritage 7/11: 4993 (graded by PCGS) that realized $34,500. That coin had numerous abrasions in the fields and it was not accorded a sticker by CAC. In fact, only three 1855-O double eagles in EF45 have been approved by CAC and none above this. A very important coin for the Type One collector and a piece that combines beauty, rarity and numismatic history in one neat package.

Ex Pittman: 1131, Merkin 10/66: 374

1875-CC $20.00 PCGS AU58

There are oodles of 1875-CC double eagles graded AU58 by both PCGS and NGC but only a small handful have the eye appeal of this coin. It has very rich orange-gold color with contrasting deeper highlights (it is likely from a European source) and a good deal of luster is present on both the obverse and the reverse. Some light scuffing on the obverse removes this coin from an MS61 grade but it is free of actual wear and the reverse is extrmely choice with an MS62 or better appearance. This is as nice a "slider" example of this popular date as you are likely to find and it would make a great type coin for the collector looking for one special Type One CC double eagle for his set.

1860-S $20.00 NGC AU55

Recently expatriated from Europe and very crusty with plenty of dirt in the recesses, especially on the reverse. This coin has enough body to grade AU58 but there is a very thin and easy to miss hairline on the obverse from the area between stars four and five on the obverse into the top of the head. The typical AU55 example of this date is bright and very heavily abraded. This piece shows nice orange-gold and rose color and lacks the dense abrasions so typical to the issue. Scarcde in properly graded AU55, very scarce in AU58 and very rare in Uncirculated.

1861-S $20.00 NGC AU58

You can disregard the NGC population of this date. In AU58 it is quite scarce and it is a really tough coin in Uncirculated that is nearly impossible to find above MS60 to MS61. This fresh example has a good deal of luster, minimal marks and nice medium orange-gold color. It is cleaner than usual and quite well detailed with better sharpness at the centers than what is normally seen for the date. A small grease stain at star two on the obverse is as made and shows that this piece has not been dipped. If available, an MS61 1861-S double eagle would cost in excess of $15,000 and it probably would not have much more eye appeal than this "slider." Since the beginning of 2009, only three AU58 1861-S double eagles have appeared at auction and I have had only three in inventory in close to two years.

1851-O $20.00 PCGS EF40 CAC

If you want to buy a nice quality New Orleans double eagle and you have less than $5,000 to spend you basically have two choices: the 1851-O and the 1852-O. Of the two dates, the 1851-O is a bit harder to find. This very attractive example shows natural green-gold color with areas of reddish toning at the borders. There is some luster present and the surfaces are nice for the date and grade. A shallow mint-made planchet flake between the two final stars on the obverse does not detract and the reverse is clean, choice and lovely. You won't find many nicer EF examples of this date than the present coin.

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.