The 1861 is far and away the most available of the five Civil War eagles from the Philadelphia mint. It is readily available in circulated grades and sometimes seen in the lowest Uncirculated range but it becomes scarce in properly graded MS62 and rare in MS63 and above. There are likely two dozen or so known in Uncirculated with the undisputed finest being the Bass III: 679 wonder coin, graded MS66 by PCGS, which sold for $50,600 and which would easily eclipse the six figure mark if offered today.

This is a lovely, high end example with rich honey-gold color atop natural, frosty surfaces. There are a few small marks which limit the grade but this is a coin with real eye appeal and it is nicer than just about any other MS62 1861 eagle I can recall seeing.

The last two APR’s for NGC MS62′s, without CAC approval, were $7,652 and $8,225. If available, a nice quality MS63 would sell in excess of $20,000.

Only nine have been graded finer than this at both services combined and this figure is likely inflated by resubmissions.

A choice and exciting eagle for the specialist or the Civil War coin collector.

CAC has approved two in this grade with one finer.