CONDITIONALLY RARE PCGS/CAC 1855 $20 GRADED MS61

The Fairmont hoard impacted the availability of the 1855 double eagle in circulated grades, but there were very few high-grade examples of this date included. The 1855 remains a very scarce issue in Uncirculated with around 20-25 known, mostly in the MS60 to MS61 range. In MS62, this is a rare coin and I am aware of just three grading MS63 or finer; the best is the fabulous Crawford/Hansen coin which has gradeflated from MS64 to MS65+ at PCGS since it surfaced in 2006.

This is the single nicest MS61 example of this date that I have handled. Many 1855 twenties have somewhat grainy luster and are on the dull side as a result. This coin, however, is frosty and vibrant with splashes of rich orange-gold and pale lime adding to the outstanding overall eye appeal. A few light ticks in the left obverse field and a well-hidden scrape in Liberty’s hair keep this coin from grading at least a point higher.

Other than this exact coin (see below) there are no APRs for a PCGS/CAC MS61 1855 $20. In August 2021, Stack’s Bowers sold a PCGS/CAC MS62 for $20,400. There have been five APRs for non-CAC PCGS MS61 1855 double eagles since the beginning of 2022 with a low of $10,200 (11/2024) and a high of $15,600 (once in 4/2022 and once in 2/2022).

An exceptional example of an under-appreciated Type One issue.

Ex Heritage 3/2012: 4202 where it sold for $16,100 as a non-CAC PCGS MS61.

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