1862 Liberty Double Eagle. AU-55 (NGC).；A boldly toned and inviting Choice AU that is sure to see spirited bidding among advanced double eagle enthusiasts. Bathed in a blend of honey and orange-gold patina, both sides reveal ample remnants of satin luster as the surfaces rotate under a light. Striking detail is sharp and nearly complete in the absence of all but the lightest rub. With the suspension of gold specie payments by Eastern banks in late 1861, the Philadelphia Mints production of double eagles plummeted the following year. Whereas the facility delivered 2,976,453 circulation strikes in 1861, a mintage of just 92,133 pieces was achieved in 1862. The latter issue is the second rarest Type I twenty from the Philadelphia Mint in an absolute sense after the 1853/2, and it is the rarest when we consider only high grade survivors in AU and Mint State. The present example is a highlight of the extensive double eagle offerings in this sale, and it is sure to see spirited bidding.
