SCARCE AND UNDERRATED CAC APPROVED PCGS AU58 1871 $20.00

The 1871 is scarcer than the 1869 and comparable to the 1870 but it is the scarcest date of this Type Two trio in higher grade. Examples graded AU58 are very difficult to locate especially with natural color and choice surfaces.

This is among the choicest AU58 examples of this underrated date that I have handled. It has a thick layer of rich natural golden color with subtle darker contrast on the high spots from storage in a vault. This coin has no real wear and it was likely sent to Europe as Uncirculated but in the ensuing century, Liberty's cheek was rubbed. The surfaces are far choicer than normal and the eye appeal is exceptional.

The last CAC approved PCGS 1871 double eagle to sell at auction brought $6,118 in a June 2012 DLRC sale and it had a very detracting mark on Liberty's chin.

This date is not often seen better and in my opinion, this very choice AU58 represents excellent value for the savvy, budget-conscious collector.

CAC has approved seven in this grade with three finer.

FROM THE ESSEX COLLECTION