1852-O $20.00 NGC EF45+ CAC

I have handled at least a dozen EF45 1851-O and 1852-O double eagles (combined) in the past year and I'd have to say that this example may be the most attractive, at least from the standpoint of originality. The obverse and reverse show lovely deep original green-gold color with no lightened areas from prior dippings or cleanings. The surfaces are remarkably choice for a New Orleans double eagle of any date with a near-total lack of marks. My guess is that this coin was recently found overseas but it doesn't have the too dark/too splotchy color that many of the O mints that are found in these sources display. The "+" designation from NGC was certainly the result of this coin's great eye appeal and I think a collector would be hard-pressed to find a nice New Orleans double eagle of any date for less than $5,000.

1890-CC $20.00 PCGS AU58

This lustrous slider is free of noticeable wear but does show just a bit too much friction in the obverse fields to qualify as a Mint State coin. That said, with its nice light rose and orange-gold hues, it has tremendous eye appeal. The most prominent mark is a small scrape between stars eleven and twelve on the obverse. The 1890-CC is the most available CC double eagle from this decade and its affordability in comparably high grades makes it of interest to the type collector.

Ex New England Rare Coin Auctions 3/1982: 2301

1876-CC $20.00 PCGS VF25 CAC

Rainy Day Collection pedigree. Evenly worn, problem-free and original. This is one of the more affordable CC double eagles that you are likely to see in the market. With gold approaching $2,000 per ounce, the number of slabbed CC double eagles priced at under $2,500 is dwindling to just a few.

1853 $20.00 PCGS MS61 CAC

Normal Date variety. The 1853 is a much scarcer date than the 1851 and 1852. But it remains reasonably affordable in the lower Uncirculated grades and this makes it a sensible issue for the collector who is searching for a nice non-shipwreck Type One double eagle as a type coin. This is a fresh and extremely high end piece with strong claims to an MS62 grade. It is undipped and never-messed-with and, most importantly, it is totally "new" with no hint of friction on the high spots or luster breaks in the fields. The surfaces are slightly ticky in the open areas but this is compensated for by the attractive soft golden color and swirling frosty luster. MS61 is a good value grade for this date as an MS62, if available, is likely to cost in excess of $13,000-15,000. Only three examples in MS61 have been given CAC approval with two higher.

Ex New England Rare Coin Auctions 3/1982: 2291

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.