August 2023 Global Showcase Auction – 14 - 21 August 2023
Live Sessions: Ancient and World Coins, Currency
Part B: Tu, 15.08.2023, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part D: Tu, 15.08.2023, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 2: Tu, 15.08.2023, from 9:00 PM CEST
Part C: Tu, 15.08.2023, from 10:00 PM CEST
Part 3: We, 16.08.2023, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part 4: We, 16.08.2023, from 7:00 PM CEST
Part 5: We, 16.08.2023, from 10:00 PM CEST
Part 6: Th, 17.08.2023, from 12:00 AM CEST
Part E: Th, 17.08.2023, from 6:00 PM CEST
Part 7: Th, 17.08.2023, from 8:00 PM CEST
Part 8: Fr, 18.08.2023, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part 9: Sa, 19.08.2023, from 1:00 AM CEST
Part 10: Sa, 19.08.2023, from 5:00 PM CEST
Part F: Mo, 21.08.2023, from 4:00 PM CEST
Description
1881 Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-58 (NGC).
Lustrous satin surfaces with sharp striking detail and charming light honey-orange patina. The 1881 inaugurates a run of (extremely) low mintage Liberty Head double eagles from the Philadelphia Mint that continues through 1887. A few of the dates in this run - 1883, 1884 and 1887 - are actually Proof-only affairs, while for the remainder the 1881 has the most generous delivery of 2,199 pieces. That this is a rare issue should be obvious even to the casual observer and, indeed, Q. David Bowers ( A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins, 2004) confirms this by providing an estimate of "no more than a few dozen" extant in all grades. Of the coins believed extant, EF-40 to AU-50 is the typical grade range, such pieces often heavily abraded. With the quality seen here, it is a significant highlight of the gold offerings in this sale, and will be a find for the advanced double eagle enthusiast.
PCGS# 8994. NGC ID: 26BC.
NGC Census: 9; 5 finer, (MS-61 finest).
Estimate: $80000
Question about this lot?
Bidding
| Price realized | 72'500 USD |
| Starting price | 1 USD |
| Estimate | 80'000 USD |
