1856 Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-62 (PCGS). CAC.
A remarkably well preserved example of this underrated condition rarity among 1850s Liberty Head double eagle issues. Richly original with vivid coloration, both sides are further adorned with lively mint luster. The strike is bold throughout, and the in hand appearance is far smoother than one might expect at the assigned grade level. The mintage for the 1856 is 329,878 circulation strikes, down nearly 40,000 pieces from the previous year's figure. The 1856 is considered by many to be a common date, no doubt because of the size of the mintages that occurred in Philadelphia at the beginning of the series. With regard to higher grades nothing could be further from the truth. This date has long been respected by specialists in the denomination as one of the more challenging Philadelphia Mint issues of the 1850s, especially in attractive Uncirculated condition, as here. Indeed, Q. David Bowers allowed for just 12 to 20 Mint State survivors when he penned his Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins in 2004 for Whitman. Today's estimate is not much greater and probably on the order of 30 to 40 different coins.
PCGS# 8917. NGC ID: 268Y.
PCGS Population: 7; 6 finer (MS-63 finest). CAC Population: 2; 0.
From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.