1872 Liberty Head Eagle. AU-53 (PCGS).This delightful 1872 eagle exhibits warm pinkish-honey patina and much of the original finish intact. The finish is predominantly satiny, although it is vibrant enough to suggest modest semi-prooflike tendencies in the fields. A touch of haziness is noted for accuracy. The definition is sharp throughout and not far from what one might expect to see in a Choice AU survivor.The 1872 is a key date issue with a circulation strike mintage of only 1,620 coins. <em>PCGS CoinFacts</em> accounts for only 40 to 60 survivors throughout the numismatic grading scale. Unlike many similarly elusive eagles from its era there are actually a few Mint State coins known for the 1872. Only marginally less rare are AU survivors; most extant examples are in lower grades through EF. The National Numismatic Collection in the Smithsonian Institution does not include a circulation strike 1872 eagle -- further testament to the rarity of this issue. This important coin will be just right for a highly regarded collection of Liberty gold.From Heritages Summer FUN Signature Auction of June 2008, lot 2151.