1860-S $20.00 PCGS MS62

As with nearly all of the San Francisco double eagle of the Type One design (except for the dates that have had their populations swelled by Treasure coins), the 1860-S is a date that becomes progressively rarer as you climb the grading ladder. It is only moderately scarce in the lower to medium grades but it is a hard coin to find in properly graded AU58. Uncirculated coins are extremely scarce and almost all of the known pieces are MS60 to MS61 with deep, detracting abrasions. The present example is the single finest 1860-S that I have owned and it is quite possibly the finest that is currently available to collectors. The frosty surfaces are nearly free of marks and were it not for a few light lines in the left obverse field, I could see this coin grading a point higher. The reverse is amazing and grades MS63 to MS64 on its own. The combined PCGS/NGC population for this date in MS62 is just a dozen with a scant two coins higher. An MS63 would cost upwards of $50,000 if it became available. The last PCGS MS62 to sell was Bowers and Merena 11/09: 3856 which brought a reasonable $14,375 and only four PCGS MS62's have sold at auction since the beginning of the 1990's. A major opportunity for the serious Type One collector.

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.

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.

1890 $20.00 PCGS MS62

Along with the 1889, the 1890 is a sleeper date in the Type Three series that is scarce in properly graded MS62 and rare in MS63 and above. This lustrous example shows the usual amount of abrasions for the grade but it has natural orange-gold and rose shadings that give it very good overall eye appeal. In MS63, Trends jumps to $13,500 and a solid PCGS MS63 example will cost you around $9,000 to $11,000 depending on quality.

1896-S $20.00 PCGS MS62

Old Green Holder. Probably closer to an MS63 by today's standards but not worth cracking out for the attempted upgrade. A nice, frosty example with pleasing color.

1855-S $20.00 NGC MS62

Before the discovery of a few choice Uncirculated examples in the S.S. Central America, the 1855-S was exceedingly rare in Uncirculated. It remains quite rare in Mint State, especially at the MS62 and higher level. Both services show a population of six in this grade with just two finer and given resubmissions, this probably means that around a half dozen are known in MS62 with another two or three better. This example doesn't appear to be from the SSCA treasure as it has a satiny look and no sign of seawater erosion in the surfaces. The color is a pleasing medium orange-gold hue with some rose around the devices. The surfaces are choice; a reverse grease stain at the F in OF through the top of the left wing serves as identification and it is mint-made. The last MS62 example of this date to sell at auction was Heritage 3/11: 4910, graded by PCGS, which brought $14,950. An important early San Francisco double eagle for the Type One specialist.

1877 $20.00 PCGS MS62 CAC

As with many of the Philadelphia and San Francisco double eagles made during the first few years of the Type Three design, the 1877 is an issue that is common in circulated grades and not all that hard to find in MS60 to MS61. High end, choice MS62's are scarce and this date is quite rare in MS63. The combined PCGS/NGC population in MS63 and above is 35 but this is inflated by resubmissions as evidenced by the fact that none have sold at auction in MS63 since April 2010 when an NGC MS63 brought $12,650 in a Heritage sale. This piece is lustrous and choice with good color and a very pleasing appearance. Great value considering the 3x jump to the next grade!

CAC has approved five in this grade with just one finer.

1890 $20.00 NGC MS62 CAC

The 1890 is one of my favorite "secret" dates in the Type Three series. It is only moderately scarce in MS60 and MS61 grades but it is a tough coin in MS62 and a very scarce to rare issue in MS63 and above. Its also expensive in MS63 with an example costing $8,000-10,000 depending on what it looks like. Which is why I think this high end MS62 is a great value at less than half the price of an MS63. It is totally original with a great "skin" and lovely rich orange-gold color. A few marks on the obverse narrowly keep this coin from an MS63 grade but it is truly high end for an MS62.

CAC has approved eight in this grade and only two finer.