If I had to choose a single date from the Type One Liberty Head double eagle series and name it as the “most undervalued”  it would likely be the 1856. For some unknown reason, it has a lower survival rate than the 1855, 1857 and 1858 (all of which are undervalued in their own right) and is seldom seen above the lower AU grades. The 1856 is very scarce in AU55 to AU58 and quite rare in any Uncirculated grade.

This example is very well detailed with lightly marked, lustrous surfaces. The color on both the obverse and the reverse is a medium orange-gold with some rose shadings seen at the obverse border. There is no real wear present but just enough light friction on the high spots of the obverse to properly call this an AU58.

No AU58′s have sold at auction since the Heritage 10/10: 4982 coin that brought $5,031. I have actually handled four seperate AU58′s in the last year and all of these have sold quickly to collectors.

This is a choice, pleasing example of one of my favorite dates in the entire Type One double eagle series.