1861 Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-63 (NGC).This lovely double eagle has sharply struck golden-orange surfaces that are highly lustrous with a bold satin finish. It will be equally well suited for a high quality type set or advanced Liberty Head double eagle collection. With 2,976,453 pieces produced, the 1861 has the highest mintage of any pre-1904 double eagle. Prior to the salvage of shipwreck treasures such as that of the <em>S.S. Central America</em>, this was the most available issue of the Type I Liberty Head design. The onset of the Civil War resulted in Northern banks suspending gold specie payments in December 1861. Hoarding began, an activity that probably accounts for most of the several hundred Mint State survivors of this issue. Given the popularity of the Liberty Head double eagle series with todays advanced gold specialists, Choice Uncirculated examples such as this are scarce from a market availability standpoint. Indeed, it has been some time since we have offered an 1861 twenty of similar quality and eye appeal. The offered coin is sure to result in spirited bidding among astute collectors.From the Collection of Carril Valparaiso.
