1864-S is a magical date for gold coin collectors. There are just three issues: the half eagle, the eagle and the double eagle. The first two are very rare in all grades; the double eagle is common in circulated grades, scarce in the lowest Uncirculated range and rare in MS62 and above. This is a fresh, lovely example with surfaces that appear to be original; most of the Uncirculated 1864-S double eagles are from the S.S. Brother Jonathan and have matte-like surfaces from exposure to seawater. There are splashes of rich orange-gold color atop very frosty surfaces and just a few small, shallow marks are visible with the naked eye. There have been three auction records for this date in MS62 in the last three+ years. The last one was Goldberg 2/11: 2222, graded by PCGS, that realized $18,975. With MS63 and higher examples being essentially unavailable (not to mention very expensive) this coin is just about the best available piece that collectors can find. An impresive and important Type One double eagle with the added importance of being a Civil War date.