Large Date variety.

Along with the 1859 and the 1862, the 1854 Large Date is one of the key issues in the Philadelphia Type One double eagle series. It is extremely scarce in the higher AU grades and most of the examples to become available in recent years appear to have come from Europe. In Uncirculated, the 1854 Large Date remains extremely rare with probably no more than six to eight known.

This is a gem slider example with totally natural deep green-gold and orange colors which are accentuated by some darker highlight hues. There is no real wear but just enough bag friction can be seen in the left obverse field to correctly grade this coin an AU58.  A few scuffs can be seen in the fields on both sides and there is an area of reddish oxidation on the reverse at the top of ES in STATES.

The last PCGS AU58 example of this variety to sell at auction was Heritage 5/13: 4375, also approved by CAC, which brought $22,325. I carefully examined that piece and believe that the present coin is nicer although they have a reasonably similar appearance.

PCGS has only graded one finer than this (MS64) and that piece is off the market in a tightly-held Midwestern collection.

If you are a serious collector of Type One double eagles, you know the importance of this choice, pleasing 1854 Large Date.

CAC has approved four in this grade and just one finer (MS64).

SOLD