August 18, 2016

How Rare are Non-Shipwreck Gem Type One Double Eagles?

August 18, 2016/ Doug Winter

In the recent Stacks Bowers 2016 ANA Sale, I was fortunate to purchase an amazing 1860 double eagle, graded MS65 by PCGS, which was part of the Bull Run Collection and earlier was sold as Lot 900 in the famous October 1982 Eliasberg Collection auction.

After I bought this coin, I told another dealer that the Eliasberg 1860 “was the finest non-shipwreck Type One double eagle I had ever owned.” This got me to thinking: just how rare are non-shipwreck MS65 and finer double eagles of this type?

June 30, 2016

10 Rare Date Gold Coins with Surprisingly Low/High CAC Populations

June 30, 2016/ Doug Winter

To me, CAC populations help to quantify quality. By this, I mean that if 8 examples of a specific date of Liberty Head half eagle have been approved by CAC, we can assume that there are at least 8 above-average examples of this date with some degree of originality and eye appeal. A figure of “8” at PCGS is not as quantifiable when it comes to quality.

April 13, 2016

What is the Rarest New Orleans Half Eagle?

April 13, 2016/ Doug Winter

A total of 17 half eagles were produced at the New Orleans mint between 1840 and 1909. Focusing on the No Motto Liberty Head issues (struck between 1840 and 1857) there are at least five issues which I would call “rare” (i.e., fewer than 100 examples known in all grades). These are the 1842-O, 1847-O, 1855-O, 1856-O, and 1857-O. Of these five, which is the rarest in terms of overall rarity and which is the rarest in high grades?

February 19, 2016

Civil War Eagles: A Rarity Study with Condition Census Information

February 19, 2016/ Doug Winter

This is the first of potentially many articles which focus on rarity and Condition Census information in the Liberty Head eagle series. The first sub-group I’m going to focus on is the 11 Civil War issues. These coins are, with one exception, rare in all grades and a number of them are either unknown or excessively rare in Uncirculated.

October 20, 2015

Standalone New Orleans Coinage: Gold Coins

October 20, 2015/ Doug Winter

A “standalone” coin is one that, literally, stands alone; be it as a first-year issue, a one year type, or for other factors. In the United States gold coin market, there are a number of standalone issues from New Orleans and this article will identify and analyze them.

September 01, 2015

High-Grade No Motto New Orleans Eagles: An Analysis

September 01, 2015/ Doug Winter

All No Motto eagles are very rare in MS64 and higher grades. Even the common Philadelphia issues which exist by the thousands in circulated and low-end Uncirculated grades are all but unknown in high grades. This is due to a combination of factors: mishandling, use in commerce, melting(s), and lack of collector interest until well into the 20th century.

August 03, 2015

What's the "Next Big Thing" in Rare Date Gold? Five Suggestions:

August 03, 2015/ Doug Winter

In the last decade, we have seen a number of Next Big Things in the rare date gold market. We’ve seen New Orleans double eagles and Carson City double eagles. We’ve seen Civil War issues, and we’ve seen No Motto San Francisco eagles. In most cases, we’ve seen big demand spikes and subsequent price increases in these areas. What could be the Next Big Thing and why? Here are five suggestions with explanations.

July 06, 2015

The San Francisco Gold Coin Market: What's Hot, and What's Not

July 06, 2015/ Doug Winter

I’ve written a lot about the 19th century gold coinage from the San Francisco mint, but it’s been awhile since I’ve discussed the “heat factor” for the various types and denominations from this mint. Clearly, San Francisco gold has gone from “unloved” to “up and coming” in the last few years, but which specific series are hot and which are not? Let’s take a look at each series and let me share my thoughts with you.

June 18, 2015

What's Up in the Carson City Gold Market?

June 18, 2015/ Doug Winter

My CC interest is still strong but a few factors have made my interest wane a bit in recent years. The market has become very pricey—especially for double eagles—and coins which I would happily write a check for $15,000 back in 1992 I have trouble with at $30,000 or $40,000 today. Most of the coins I see in the marketplace today are very low-end (not all but most) and when I see pieces in AU53 holders which are not only overgraded but which are processed, I have trouble playing at current numbers. Finally, to be honest, the market has become a little too competitive for me.

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