1854 Liberty Head Double Eagle. Large Date. MS-61 (PCGS). CAC.
One of our most significant historic offerings from the fabulous Fairmont Collection, this Condition Census example of the elusive 1854 Large Date double eagle is once again coming to market through an exciting Stack's Bowers Galleries auction event. Wonderfully original - characteristic of the Fairmont coins - both sides are bathed in a blend of deep gold patina and softly frosted luster, with tinges of pale rose iridescence. 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." We anticipate strong bidder competition for this highly significant rarity. The Mint also used the Large Date logotype of this variety in production of 1854 Liberty Seated silver dollars.
PCGS# 98911. NGC ID: 268S.
PCGS Population: 4; 5 finer (MS-64+ finest). CAC Sticker Population: 3; 5.
From our sale of the Fairmont Collection, June 2018 Baltimore Auction, lot 176.

Estimate: $25000