CHOICE AU 1850 DOUBLE EAGLE

This is the first double eagle struck at the Philadelphia mint for regular circulation and it is numismatically significant for this reason. The 1850 is not a rare issue in the medium to higher AU grades but examples in AU55 holders are often baggy and bright. I’d predict that less than 10% of those graded AU55 will be approved by CAC if and when they are sent in for approval.

This example shows uncommonly rich color for the issue with orange-gold shading to red on the obverse and, slightly less intensely, on the reverse. Both sides show good overall detail and retain a considerable amount of mint luster. None of the small scuffs in the fields merit description.

Only one CAC approved AU55 sold at auction in 2015 and this coin, in an NGC slab, realized $7,344 as Heritage 2015 ANA: 6319. Two non-CAC PCGS graded AU55′s sold for $6,169 and $6,463, respectively, in sales earlier this year.

With Uncirculated 1850 double eagles well into five figures, this pleasing Choice AU should meet the needs of most Type One collectors.

CAC has approved 19 in this grade with 29 finer.

For more information on this date, click here.