1857-O $2.50 PCGS AU58 CAC

This numismatically significant date (it is the final quarter eagle made at the New Orleans mint) is more available now than a few decades ago due to some small hoards. However, really nice AU58 and better examples are still scarce and this gem slider is among the finest AU58 1857-O quarter eagles that I've seen with lovely lemon-gold color, choice surfaces and a razor-sharp strike. If you saw this coin out of its PCGS holder, you'd have no trouble grading it MS61and I have seen many examples of this date in 61 holders that couldn't hold a candle to this wonderful piece. And at half the price of a mediocre MS61...well, it's a great value as well.

CAC has approved six in this grade with four finer. A total of seventeen 1857-O quarter eagles have been approved by CAC.

1851-D $5.00 PCGS F15 CAC

I'm not certain that this matters on a coin of this caliber but it appears to be very undergraded to me and I think its closer to VF25 (or even a bit better) in terms of sharpness. Original as all get-out, this coin has plenty of dirt caked in the protected areas and nice deep color on both sides. And its a slightly better date as well. A perfect inexpensive Dahlonega half eagle for the beginning collector.

1858-S $20.00 NGC AU58

This straight-from-Europe 1858-S is one of the nicer examples of this date that I have handled and I have owned some gorgeous 1858-S double eagles in the last few years. This is a "gem slider" with great surfaces and very attractive deep color but without the extensive marks typical to the issue. There is some dirt in the protected areas and a small obverse grease stain (as made) can be seen on Liberty's jawline. This is a very scarce date in properly graded AU58 and MS60 Trends jumps to $10,500. If you can find an MS61, you will pay at least $12,000-14,000 and, in all likelihood, it won't be as attractive as this coin. I love the value that choice AU58 Type One double eagles present and coins like this seem like a really good deal to me.

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.