1856 $20.00 NGC EF45 CAC

Along with the 1855, the 1856 is one of my favorite "sleeper" dates in the Type One double eagle series. It is still not priced at a huge premium over a common issue like the 1851 or 1852 but, as even a cursory glimpse at population figures will show, it is many times scarcer than these dates. This example is choice and original with rich, even orange-gold color that is accentuated by some deeper colors at the left obverse and correspoding reverse.

This is one of two approved by CAC in this grade with eleven finer.

1853/2 $20.00 PCGS AU50 CAC

Its status as the only overdate in the Liberty Head double eagle series makes the 1853/2 a very in-demand coin. It is especially desirable in collector grades (i.e., EF40 to AU50) and it becomes prohibitively expensive in the higher AU to Mint State range. This lustrous example has light green-gold color and very good detail. Its shows the diagnostic die dot below the right foot of the R in LIBERTY and the "spray" behind the neck of Liberty (a clashmark). Remarkably, there has been but one PCGS AU50 example of this variety sold at auction since 2004, Heritage 7/10: 4823 which brought $4,313.

This is the only CAC approved example of this date in AU50. Three finer pieces have been approved as well.

1851-O $20.00 PCGS EF45

There are only two "affordable" dates in the New Orleans double eagle series: the 1851-O and the 1852-O. If you track this series, you know that nice EF examples of this date have risen dramatically in the last decade. Has this market peaked? I don't think so and I base this belief on the demand I see for any sub-$5,000 PCGS graded 1851-O double eagle (or 1852-O) that I list on my site. These coins are regular visitors to raregoldcoins.com and they tend to fly off the proverbial shelf when available. This example has nice deep, even green-gold color with enough dirt present in the lettering to show that it is original. The surfaces lack any serious marks and the overall level of eye appeal is strong for the grade

1851-O $20.00 NGC AU58 CAC

There are a small number of Gem Sliders known for this date and when they become available, collectors get excited. The reason is simple: an MS61 example of this date, if available, is now approaching $40,000 and a very high end AU58 like this coin is a remarkable value at less than half the price. This piece probably never entered circulation and it has glassy semi-prooflike surfaces with rich light green-gold that is accentuated by splashes of rich lime-gold across the central obverse. The strike is as sharp as one could hope for and there is just the slightest amount of bag friction on the high spots of the obverse. A small mark on the obverse can be seen between stars two and three and it seems to be mint-made. An exciting coin for the advanced collector of New Orleans gold.

CAC has approved two in this grade and two finer.

2/2

1861-S $20.00 NGC AU55 CAC

This deeply toned example is among the few totally original 1861-S double eagles that I can recall having seen in many years. It shows rich Euro-style color with deep green-gold surfaces that are contrasted by the hues on the relief details. There is a good degree of luster below the toning and the surfaces are choice for the issue. This is probably the scarcest regular issue SF double eagle from the Civil War era and I am very fond of this coin's appearance. CAC has approved just two in this grade with eight finer.

1884-CC $20.00 NGC AU55 CAC

In years and years of specializing in Carson City double eagles, I can't recall a time that these coins have been more popular than they are now and I forecast continued growth in this market due to a greater demand than supply. The sort of coin that people are really clamoring for now are common and slightly better dates in EF and AU with great eye appeal; exactly like this example. There is minor wear seen on both sides, no detracting marks and attractive natural light golden-orange color. In short, this is exactly the sort of CC $20 you should be buying if you are just getting interested in this historic, highly collectable series.

CAC has approved seventeen in this grade with another twenty-five finer than this.

1864 $20.00 PCGS AU50

While certainly not as scarce as the 1862 and 1863 Philadelphia double eagles, the 1864 is a tough date in its own right, especially with non-shipwreck surfaces and natural color. This example is very clean for the issue with no deep marks and both sides are covered with medium green-gold color that changes to pale red-gold at the borders.

1863-S $20.00 NGC AU55

Medium S mintmark variety. This example seems to have original surfaces and its "Euro" style appearance makes me almost certain it is not from one of the shipwrecks that are the source of many higher grade 1863-S double eagles. The strike is well above average for the date with nearly full radial lines within the obverse stars and some definition on the hair strands. This date is actually fairly tough in this grade with original surfaces and I personally like the naked-eye appearance quite a bit.

There are two mintmark varieties for this date: the Small S and the Medium S. The latter appears to be more scarce.

1850 $20.00 PCGS EF40 CAC

An uncommonly clean example of this popular first-year issue with just a few small marks seen in the fields. Light grteen with some slightly deeper contrasting hues seen on the high spots of the obverse and the reverse. Clearly, a high end coin for the grade and always in demand.

CAC has approved five in this grade and forty-one finer.

From the RYK Collection.