The 1854 eagle is generally lumped with such dates as the 1852, 1853 and 1855 but it is, in fact, much scarcer, especially in high grades. There are fewer than ten known in Uncirculated with the finest being a pair of PCGS MS64′s which have never appeared at auction and which are unseen by me.

This is a strictly “new” coin which is very high end for the grade. It is totally original in appearance with nice natural green-gold color which is totally right for the date. There are a few scattered marks which limit the grade but this piece has nice frosty luster and truly good overall eye appeal.

No PCGS MS61 1854 eagle has ever sold at auction. No NGC MS61′s have sold since March 2010 when a coin which was far inferior to the present example sold for $6,325 in a Heritage auction.

In the nearly three decades in which I have specialized in rare date gold, this is but the second Uncirculated 1854 eagle which I have handled. A very important coin for the specialist.

CAC has approved just this one coin in MS61 with only one finer (MS62).