RARE LOW MINTAGE 1870 EAGLE, GRADED AU55 BY PCGS AND APPROVED BY CAC

Only 3,990 1870 eagles were struck but unlike many of its low mintage counterparts from this era, it is a bit more available than one would expect with around 90-100 known. Most 1870 eagles grade EF40 to AU50 and properly graded AU55′s are rare and not far from the end of the Condition Census. This date is unknown in Uncirculated and I doubt if more than three or four true AU58′s exist.

This coin has a wonderfully fresh appearance with rich rose and orange-gold coloration strongest at the borders. The surfaces are a blend of prooflike reflectiveness and mint frost and this must have been a spectacular coin before it entered circulation. There is not much actual wear and some scuffiness in the left obverse field is really all that separates this coin from an otherwise possible AU58 grade.

The two most recent relevant auction comparables for PCGS AU55 1870 eagles are Heritage 2/17: 3997 ($9,400; graded AU55+ but not approved by CAC) and Heritage 9/16: 14233 ($7,344 and not approved by CAC. Another PCGS AU55 approved by CAC and upgradable to AU58 in my opinion, just brought a strong $15,600 as Heritage 2/18: 4277.

In my opinion, it would be hard to improve on this coin.

CAC has approved 4 in this grade with 2 finer.

From the North Dakota Collection