The 1864 is one of the scarcer Philadelphia Type One issues and like its counterparts from 1862 and 1863, it shares the multiple levels of demand from Civil War collectors which such issues as the 1853/2 and 1859 do not. The 1864 is very scarce in the higher AU grades and it remains quite rare in Uncirculated despite some nicer Mint State pieces having been located in shipwrecks.

This lustrous Gem Slider has the appearance of an MS61 coin but there is some light friction on the high spots and minor luster breaks in the obverse fields. This piece likely did not circulate as it does not have the usual deep abrasions seen on this issue and the color is a natural medium yellow-gold. To my way of thinking, this piece is a very good alternative to a pricey Uncirculated 1864 double eagle.

No PCGS AU58 has sold at auction since October 2012. The last NGC AU58 brought $12,925 as Heritage 6/14: 4914 and, in my opinion, it had a fraction of the eye appeal which this coin displays.

This fresh-to-the-market 1864 double eagle should prove appealing to a variety of collectors.