The 1850 is numismatically significant as the first collectable double eagle struck at the Philadelphia mint. It is common in grades up to AU53 but properly graded AU55′s with original color and choice surfaces are not easy to locate. Since the 1850 becomes very expensive in Uncirculated, for most collectors a nice AU55 is probably the best value grade for this popular double eagle.

This is an outstanding coin for the grade with fully original medium green-gold color over lustrous, lightly marked surfaces. The strike is sharp and there is little actual wear seen on the high spots. Interestingly, the obverse is choicer than the reverse and I would give this coin an AU58/55 grade if we were using splits.

Only one PCGS AU55 was sold in 2014 and it realized $5,581 as Heritage 12/14: 3842. No CAC approved AU55 example has crossed the auction block in the last few years.

As I mentioned above, this piece qualifies as a smart value for the Type One collector as it has the appearance of most coins in AU58 holders at a much more reasonable price.

CAC has approved 16 in this grade with 24 finer.

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