SCARCE PCGS MS61 1859-S DOUBLE EAGLE

Most of the 1859-S double eagles from hoards have been in the AU grades, and Uncirculated examples remain scarce. In MS61, the 1859-S is scarce, and nice MS62 coins are very scarce. MS63s are currently represented by just two at PCGS: with one coin graded by PCGS having selling for $108,000 as Stack’s Bowers 12/2025: 20029, and the other bringing $99,000 as Heritage 5/2023: 3282. Both were CAC approved.

This green-gold example has a natural appearance and it is less abraded than what is typical for this date. The luster is slightly subdued and this is also typical for this date. A small horizontal scuff on the chin of Liberty will, no doubt, appear to be worse in the accompanying image(s) than on the actual coin.

Just two PCGS MS61 1859-S double eagles have been sold at auction since the middle of 2018. One brought $14,400 as Stack’s Bowers 2022 ANA: 3419, while the other sold for $9,900 in the Heritage May 2020; it was very low-end, hence the low price.

With the last four 1859-S $20s in PCGS MS62 having sold for between $18,000 and $21,600 at auction, this solid MS61 is a good value, in my opinion.

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