1854 Liberty Head Double Eagle. Large Date. MS-61 (PCGS). CAC.
One of the most significant offerings in the current installment of the fabulous Fairmont Collection, this is a high Condition Census example of the elusive 1854 Large Date double eagle. Wonderfully original -- characteristic of the coins in this collection -- both sides are bathed in a warm, vivid color and full mint luster. Sharply to fully struck throughout, and sure to appeal to astute double eagle collectors. Circulation strike double eagle production at the Philadelphia Mint amounted to 757,899 coins in 1854, a total that was split between Small Date and Large Date varieties. The latter is by far the rarer date style of the issue, and it likely amounts to no more than 10% of the coins extant. According to Q. David Bowers (2004) only three to five Mint State examples are known, and he describes the 1854 Large Date as "by [far] the rarest Philadelphia Mint double eagle minted up to this point in time." While the number of Uncirculated coins has crept up slightly over the last couple of decades, the variety remains a formidable condition rarity at this level. We anticipate strong bidder competition for this highly significant offering from the Fairmont holdings.
PCGS# 98911. NGC ID: 268S.
PCGS Population: 4; 4 finer (MS-64+ finest). CAC Population: 7 in all Mint State grades.
From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.