ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN 1867-S EAGLES

While 9,000 1867-S eagles were struck, the survival rate was very low and no more than 50-60 pieces exist today. Most are in the VF-EF range and AU examples are very rare with fewer than 10 known. There are none currently accounted for in Uncirculated and I am aware of just three or so which grade AU58.

This is a fresh coin which was recently found in Europe and it is the single best 1867-S eagle that I have ever offered for sale. It is refreshingly original and has not been processed or lightened as have most of the surviving 1867-S eagles. The strike is sharp, the surfaces are reasonably free of marks and the color is a pleasing natural russet with underlying splashes of rose.

The only AU58 example to sell at auction since 2005 was Heritage 2/14: 5381 which sold for a reasonable $17,625 mainly because of the fact that it was, in my opinion, not choice for the grade. Another NGC AU58--most likely a different coin--realized a strong $18,975 all the way back in September 2005, when almost no one collected Liberty Head eagles by date.

A strong case could be made for calling this the best available 1867-S eagle and it is clearly high in the Condition Census for the issue. An extremely important coin for the advanced specialist.