The 1861 is the most available Civil War double eagle. It is common in circulated grades and only marginally scarce in MS60 to MS61 but most examples in this range are scuffy, bright and unnatural in appearance. Choice, original examples are becoming hard to locate.

This fresh-to-the-market example was recently sourced in Europe and it is one of the most original “crispy” Type One double eagles I have seen. Both the obverse and reverse show rich rose and green hues with darker colors on the highlights. There are scuffs consistent with the grade in the fields but I could see this coin in an MS62 holder and I find the originality to be instantly appealing.

In 2013, there were only two PCGS MS61 examples of this date sold at auction and neither was approved by CAC. One brought $7,o50 and the other realized $7,638.

If available, a PCGS MS62 with CAC approval would probably bring $11,000-12,000 which, in my opinion, makes this comparable MS61 a better value.

CAC has approved 14 in this grade with 15 finer.