A lustrous and satiny double eagle with original orange-gold patina further enhancing the eye appeal. This is an interesting variety of which NGC has certified only three examples as of this writing. A loupe readily reveals repunching to the date which is most pronounced within the lower loops of both the second and final 8. As well, we also note doubling to many of the letters in the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the reverse. Since NGC has identified several Doubled Die Reverse varieties of the 1878 double eagle, we are not sure whether or not this particular coin (designated as VP-005 on the insert) corresponds to the Breen-7270 attribution, the only one listed for the issue in Walter Breens U.S. and colonial coin encyclopedia. An intriguing piece with much to offer the advanced collector of classic gold coin varieties.,PCGS# 8985.,NGC Census (VP-005 variety only): just 3 in all grades, MS-60, MS-61 and the present example in MS-61+.,
