Around 100 examples of the 1846 eagle exist from an original mintage of 20,095 and this is the second scarcer pre-1858 Liberty Head eagle from the Philadelphia mint after the 1844. The 1846 eagle tends to be found in baggy EF40 to AU50 grades and the majority of those in AU53 and higher holders are abraded and unoriginal.

This fresh to the market example is extremely choice for the grade with nice natural medium green-gold color which is totally correct for the issue. There is a good deal of luster present and an AU55 grade would not be out of the question were it not for a cluster of light abrasions in the left obverse field and another solitary mark below the hair bun.

Only one PCGS AU53 1846 eagle has sold at auction since early 2010 and it brought $4,456 as Heritage 7/12: 4456; it was not approved by CAC. A CAC approved NGC AU53 sold for $4,744 as Heritage 4/11: 6618.

This is one of the nicer circulated 1846 eagles I have offered for sale and it is far, far above average for both the date and grade.

CAC has approved five in this grade with only two finer (both AU55).