1851-O $20.00 NGC AU58

Only two New Orleans double eagles, the 1851-O and the 1852-O, are seen with any regularity in the higher AU grades but both are very scarce in properly graded AU58 with original color and surfaces. This lovely example, with a semi-prooflike texture noted below glowing yellow-gold color, is an interesting late die state that shows strong evidence of die lapping on the obverse stars (especially four through nine) that is the result of overzealous polishing of the dies in an attempt to eradicate die rust. Only a touch of light rub can be seen on the cheek of Liberty and in the fields but my guess is that this was the result of friction from a coin cabinet as opposed to time spent in circulation as there are only a few small ticks in the fields as opposed to the usual dense abrasions. As you might expect, this date takes an enormous price jump in the next grade(s) up. If you can find an MS61 (and I doubt it will be a whole lot nicer than this "slider") you are probably looking at $35,000-40,000.

1865 $20.00 NGC EF45 CAC

A pleasing, affordable Civil War double eagle with fewer marks and more luster than one might expect for the assigned grade.

1892-O $10.00 NGC MS62

As with the 1893-O, 1894-O and 1895-O eagles, this is a date that is almost never seen above MS62 due to the fact that the majority of examples that weren't melted were shipped overseas and were extensively abraded as a result. This hand-selected example is from a small hoard of recently found 1892-O eagles and it was the single best coin due to its relative paucity of marks, good luster and nice orange-gold color.

1859-S $20.00 NGC AU53 CAC

A clean, original example and one of the few 1859-S double eagles that I have seen that has not been recently dipped or processed. The color on this piece is deep but it doesn't appear to be from a European source as it lacks the ultra-dirty look that such coins display. As a date, the 1859-S is hard to find in grades above AU53 to AU55 and it is very rare (and expensive) in Uncirculated.

CAC has approved two in this grade and fourteen finer and a total of nineteen. Over 1000 examples have been graded in total.

1890-CC $10.00 NGC MS60

A solid coin for the grade and one which, unlike most CC eagles in MS60 holders, is really new. This example has good luster with very rich mint frost clearly seen below light rose and yellow-gold color. The 1890-CC is many times scarcer than the 1891-CC yet it commands less than a 2x premium in the lower Mint State grades. This affordable example is perfect for the new collector who wants a high grade Carson City eagle but who wants to avoid the ubiquitous 1891-CC.

1814/3 $5.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

BD-1, High R-4. This second year of issue Capped Head Left emission is sometimes lumped with the common 1813 but it is many times rarer. An estimated 100 or so exist and this issue is seen most often in the AU50-MS60 range. In properly graded MS62, it is quite rare and the availability of examples of this quality is typically limited to major auctions. This coin has a very choice obverse with the appearance of a full MS63; a few scattered marks at the upper reverse preclude a higher grade. The color is a rich lemon-yellow hue (which is "right" for the issue) and the luster is characteristic of uncleaned 1814/3 half eagles (and there aren't many left...) with a hybrid satiny/frosty texture. The last PCGS MS62CAC example to sell at auction was Heritage 10/11: 4876 (at $25,300) and that coin, while attractive, had a prominent line of Liberty's face. A great type coin for the advanced collector.

CAC has approved four in this grade with three better.

1877-S $20.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

Superb quality for the date and grade with a semi-prooflike obverse and a mostly frosty reverse which are both covered with lovely orange-gold and green shadings. This coin is about as close to being an MS63 as is possible and the dealer I purchased it from (one of the smartest in the business) told me he tried it multiple times in an attempt to get it into an MS63 holder. And he did so with good reason as a PCGS MS63 example of this date, if available, would be an easy sell in the $17,000-19,000 range. Heritage 6/12: 5281, also graded MS62 by PCGS and also approved by CAC, just sold for $7,475 and in my opinion it was not as attractive as the present example. A significant issue due to its status as the first Type Three double eagle from the San Francisco mint and a truly lovely coin for the date and grade.

CAC has approved four in this grade with none higher.

1872 $20.00 PCGS EF45 CAC

A nice, original example with clean, lightly marked surfaces and good overall eye appeal. The 1872 is dozens of times scarcer than the 1873 Open 3, 1875 and 1876 yet it sells for essentially no premium in this grade. Unbeatable value at less than $2,000!

1872 $1.00 PCGS MS63 CAC

When I was offered this coin I thought to myself that it had been a long, long time since I'd seen an 1872 gold dollar in this grade. A quick check revealed that the last MS63 1872 gold dollar to be sold at auction was all the way back in October 1999 and that coin (ex Bass II: 181) brought $2,530. I was further sold by the fact that this is a truly nice coin for the grade with good color, clean surfaces and legitimate eye appeal. I think the PCGS population figures for this date are insanely swelled by resubmissions and the fact that no MS63's have sold at auction in thirteen years makes me feel that their population figures have to be discounted. If you are a slave to Trends, you won't but this coin but if, like me, you are intrigued by the fact that the last MS63 gold dollar sold brought $2,520 thirteen years ago....you'll buy this coin and you won't think twice!