U.S. Postal History and U.S. Gold Goins continued...

AU58 NGC (# 4244211004)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $2,720

ESTIMATE: $1,800

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,400

CONDITION NOTES: Intense rose-gold and sharp detailed strike, abrasion marks are numerous but shallow and not distracting, a few small dark spots on both sides, very original and attractive

COMMENTS: 982,000 Double Eagles were minted at San Francisco for circulation in 1870. About 75% of the 1,650 1870-s pieces graded by NGC fall into the About Uncirculated class. These undoubtedly entered the market from European bank hoards. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8959]

MS60 PCGS (# 37233822)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $3,250

ESTIMATE: $2,100

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,700

CONDITION NOTES: Brilliant gold with hints of original crimson luster in protected areas and dark patina in high spots, detailed strike, couple of marks in obverse fields and on reverse

COMMENTS: 928,000 Double Eagles were minted at San Francisco for circulation in 1871. The 1871-S is considerably more difficult to obtain in Mint State, even with the European bank hoards counted (NGC 142 in all MS grades). (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8962]

AU58 PCGS (# 82425141)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $2,110

ESTIMATE: $1,600

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,400

CONDITION NOTES: Bright yellow-gold luster with hints of dark patina on high points, sharp strike, a few more prominent marks in fields, some discoloration on reverse, from the European Bank Crisis Gold (PCGS)

COMMENTS: 928,000 Double Eagles were minted at San Francisco for circulation in 1871. This is one of the pieces repatriated from European banks. It is the highest grade possible before the leap into Mint State territory. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8962]

AU55 NGC (# 4196689019)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $2,380

ESTIMATE: $1,600

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,400

CONDITION NOTES: Deep gold with dark patina on high points, some crimson luster on reverse, abrasion marks on obverse and a diagonal line across reverse, from the European Bank Crisis Gold (NGC)

COMMENTS: 251,850 Double Eagles were minted for circulation at Philadelphia, about one third the quantity struck at the San Francisco Mint. The majority of pieces in collectors’ hands come from repatriated gold sent to Europe. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8963]

MS60 NGC (# 5766305008)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $2,780

ESTIMATE: $1,800

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,400

CONDITION NOTES: Honey-gold with some dark patina on high points, strong strike, some more noticeable marks in the field to the left of face, still an appealing piece

COMMENTS: The San Francisco Mint produced 780,000 Double Eagles for circulation in 1872. A portion of the total output was sent to Europe and later repatriated. Fewer than 200 Mint State pieces have been graded by NGC. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8965]

MS63 PCGS (# 81857476)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $4,500

ESTIMATE: $3,000

MIN. BID W/O BP: $2,400

CONDITION NOTES: Smooth orange-gold surfaces, strong and well-defined strike with all stars showing radials, negligible tiny bag marks on obverse and the reverse is virtually mark-free, a magnificent piece that presents even better than its formidable MS63 grade

COMMENTS: The 1873 Open 3 minted at Philadelphia was not among the issues salvaged from the major shipwrecks (S.S. Republic, Central America, and Brother Jonathan). The majority of pieces in collectors’ hands today, including this example, come from European bank hoards. Considerably scarcer in grades of MS63 or better (approximately 300-400 pieces total between PCGS and NGC). (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8967]

MS61 NGC (# 4304174040)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $2,210

ESTIMATE: $1,600

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,400

CONDITION NOTES: Deep gold with some dark patina on high points, very sharp strike with radials of all stars clearly defined, light friction marks on obverse and cross-hatch lines on reverse, from the Granite Lady Hoard (NGC)

COMMENTS: The 1873 Open 3 minted at Philadelphia was not among the issues salvaged from the major shipwrecks (S.S. Republic, Central America, and Brother Jonathan). The majority of pieces in collectors’ hands today, including this example, come from European bank hoards. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8967]

MS60 NGC (# 4304230049)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $2,180

ESTIMATE: $1,600

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,400

CONDITION NOTES: Bright gold accented with dark patina on higher points, sharply defined strike, a few marks on the face bring this down a notch or two to MS60, from the Granite Lady Hoard (NGC)

COMMENTS: The economic impact of the Panic of 1873 lasted well into 1874, and the output of Double Eagles consequently dropped to 366,780 in that year from 1.4 million the previous year. NGC has graded about 365 Mint State 1874 Double Eagles. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8970]

MS61 NGC (# 4304174004)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $2,380

ESTIMATE: $1,600

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,400

CONDITION NOTES: Deep gold with some dark patina on high points, strong strike with well-defined stars, some minor marks in fields and one on cheek, still a strong MS61, from the Granite Lady Hoard (NGC)

COMMENTS: In the aftermath of the Panic of 1873 the San Francisco Mint still produced 1,214,000 Double Eagles for circulation in 1874, the majority of which was sent overseas. When those pieces were returned to the U.S., hundreds of Mint State 1874-S Double Eagles entered the collector market. Nonetheless, they feed the strong demand for Type IIs. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8972]

MS63+ PCGS (# 83806357)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $5,620

ESTIMATE: $3,750

MIN. BID W/O BP: $3,000

CONDITION NOTES: Satiny rose-gold luster and detailed strike with well-defined radials on every star (typical softness in center curls), very light abrasion marks in fields and a couple of hairlines on face prevent this from making the MS64 grade, but 63+ reflects the brilliance and quality of this piece

COMMENTS: 295,720 Double Eagles were produced by the Philadelphia Mint for circulation in 1875. Although a large number have been repatriated from European bank hoards, the PCGS Pop Report for 1875 shows only 6 graded 63+ (plus 84 at 63) and 5 at 64 (the highest grade).NGC shows 25 at 63 and 5 at 64 (plus one 66, the highest grade). Clearly the 1875 is a rarity in this premium Mint State grade. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8973]

MS61 NGC (# 4304174071)

CDN/CPG® VALUE: $2,210

ESTIMATE: $1,600

MIN. BID W/O BP: $1,400

CONDITION NOTES: Deep gold, well-defined strike, scattered abrasion marks, mostly of a shallow and trivial nature, still a strong MS61, from the Granite Lady Hoard (NGC)

COMMENTS: There is no denying that the 1875-S (and 1876-S) Double Eagle exists in huge quantities, even in Mint State grades of 60 or 61, thanks to the hoards of pieces returned from Europe. For the collector seeking an attractive Type II in Mint State, this is an excellent value at a small premium over melt. (Image) (image2)

Get Market Data for [Coins 8975]