The 1864 is the second rarest collectible Civil War era double eagle from the Philadelphia mint after the 1862. There are an estimated 20-30 known in Uncirculated with nearly all in the MS60 to MS61 range. Properly graded MS62′s are very rare and I know of only three or four finer including a PCGS MS65 which I purchased for $282,000 earlier this year.

This is likely one of a small group of high grade 1864 double eagles from the S.S. Republicalthough it is not designated as such by PCGS. It is very sharply struck and frosty with superb rich rose and yellow-gold color which deepens along the reverse border. A few small abrasions in the left obverse field limit the grade but this piece has the body and eye appeal of a coin at least a point higher. I have seen or handled of the PCGS MS62′s of this date and this is one of the two or three best.

The Gilded Age: 12029 coin, graded MS62 by PCGS and approved by CAC, sold for $47,000 while another PCGS/CAC MS62 realized $52,875 as Heritage 1/14: 5531. These two coins, along with the coin offered here, comprise all the MS62 examples of this date currently approved by CAC.

If you collect high grade Type One double eagles or if you specialize in Civil War gold, you know the importance of this monumental offering.

CAC has approved three in this grade with none finer.