RARE PCGS AU53 1860-O DOUBLE EAGLE

Fewer than 100 are known from an original mintage of 6,600 and the few that survive are generally roughly handled and lack any vestige of originality. My estimate of three dozen or so known in all AU grades includes many whcih could easily be in EF or even “No Grade” holders were they disinterred from their current slabs. I doubt if there are more than a half dozen AU 1860-O double eagles that are DWN quality and the three Uncirculated coins which exist are all in the MS60 to MS61 range.

This is a remarkable example for the date and grade with totally natural russet color on both sides. There are some marks on the cheek and in the fields while the reverse grades AU55 and is choice. A quick perusal of 1860-O double eagle images sold throughout the past decade shows a rogue’s gallery of harshly cleaned/resurfaced/bright-n-baggy coins whcih are in no way equal to this superior quality example.

In the last dozen years I can find just five APR’s for the 1860-O $20 in AU53 with a low of $55,200 (once in 2020 and again in 2021) and a high of $60,000 in 5/2022. DWN purchased a nice PCGS/CAC AU50 for $69,000 as Stacks Bowers 4/2022: 5390.

This is the first 1860-O double eagle that I’ve liked enough to add to my inventory since 2022 and it is nice enough for almost any Type One double eagle set.

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