1864 Liberty Head Eagle. AU Details--Altered Surfaces (PCGS).

A highly significant Liberty Head gold rarity from the Civil War era. Plenty of frosty luster remains on surfaces that display attractive, deep rose-honey color. Minimally circulated with overall sharp detail that suggests a Choice AU grade. Abraham Lincoln had won re-election in 1864 as the Civil War dragged on, now with Ulysses S. Grant at the head of the Union Army. The war continued to have an effect on coin production and just 3,530 circulation strike eagles were struck in 1864 at Philadelphia. The coins saw widespread export, and when found at all in today's market are usually in VF or EF condition. PCGS CoinFacts suggests that only 40 to 60 examples remain in all grades. The issue is a prime condition rarity at any AU level and even fewer are known in Mint State - likely fewer than a half dozen unique specimens, including a pair recovered from the S.S. Republic shipwreck. The present example is a tad glossy in texture and also shows light hairlining to explain the PCGS qualifier. Even so, it is an above average survivor of the issue, and a significant absolute rarity that deserves the undivided attention of advanced gold collectors among our bidders.

PCGS# 8639. NGC ID: 264D.

Estimate: $40000