1856 $20.00 NGC AU55 CAC

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

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

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

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

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.

1842-D $2.50 NGC VF25

The 1842-D is among the scarcer quarter eagles from this mint. It is almost never seen in lower grades and for the collector on a limited budget, this piece is an unusual opportunity to acquire a nice, original example of this issue for under $3,000

1879 $5.00 NGC PR64+ CAM

Only 30 Proofs were struck. Given the fact that just eight auction records for Proofs have been noted since 2000, it likely that as few as ten or so are known to exist with only two or three of these being Gems. This superbly toned example has a reddish-orange obverse with some pale ice-blue splashes at the center; the reverse has really neat color with more even rich orange-gold shades framed by a concentric ring of pale blue. There is almost enough contrast to call this coin an Ultra Cameo and a Gem grade is removed solely by the presence of some light lines in the left obverse field; the reverse is superb. The last Gem Proof 1879 half eagle to sell was Goldberg 5/06: 4439 (graded PR65 CAM by PCGS) that sold for $60,375. Rare, important and absolutely beautiful!

1876 $1.00 NGC PR65 CAM

Only 45 struck. Of these, there are probably no more than twenty or so known with most in the PR64 to PR65 range. This piece is easily recognizable as a Proof on account of its reflective surfaces and a small die line running out to the right from the base of the right foot in the first A in AMERICA. Both the obverse and the reverse show very deep natural toning; the kind that you used to see from time to time on Proof gold before so many coins were dipped in order to gain a Cameo or Deep Cameo designation. The underlying fields appear to be choice with just a few old lines. An attractive example of a rare, historically significant issue.

Ex Heritage 10/11: 4628 where it sold for $16,100

1881 $1.00 NGC PR65+ UCAM

Prior to this year, mintage figures for Proof gold dollars was tiny. Beginning in 1882, production climbed as collecting (and speculating in) Proofs of this denomination became popular. 1881 is sort of a "final year" for low mintages with just 87 pieces struck; it is likely that around half of these are known. What I like about this date is that is sells for just a small premium above the late 1880's dates but it is decidedly scarcer, especially in Gem. This example is as close to being a PR66 as you could imagine and I feel that the only thing that kept NGC from grading it as such is the presence of a few tiny lines in the left obverse field. That said, I have seen inferior coins graded PR66 by both services and I have seen few Proofs of this era with the stunning black and white contrast that this piece displays. Both sides have extremely deep mirrors that display some light natural color that gives them further overall eye appeal. This is the only PR65+ Ultra Cameo of this date currently graded by NGC with only five finer for the date with the UC designation. It is my belief that Gem Proof gold dollars such as this are very good values right now, especially when one considers what larger denomination Proof gold in this grade costs.