1853/2 Liberty Head Double Eagle. FS-301. MS-61 (PCGS). CAC.，This is a lovely example of this popular and well-known Liberty double eagle variety. The artifact within the lower loop of the digit 3 in the date is easily visible and the diagnostic die chip on Libertys headband below the letter R in LIBERTY remains clear to identify the FS-301 variety. Aglow in vibrant satin luster and vivid rose-orange patina, the surfaces are exceptionally well preserved for the issue. Fully struck, and quite smooth for the assigned grade level, this exquisite piece is worthy of a premium bid.<br /><br />An intriguing variety by any measure, the 1853/2 double eagle has both fascinated and perplexed numismatists for years. The variety was discovered around 1959 and was popularized by Walter Breen who later carried it as an overdate in his <em>Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins</em>. The variety is listed as a clear overdate in Bill Fivazs and J. T. Stantons <em>Cherrypickers Guide</em> and has been considered the only overdate in the entire double eagle series, but other scholars are not so certain of its status as an overdate since the artifact within the 3 does not closely resemble that of a 2. Only the one obverse die is known for the 1853/2 variety which is also distinguished in its later die states by a distinctive die chip under the R in LIBERTY which is sometimes noted as die rust in some references, as well as a repaired crossbar in the A in STATES. For many years after its discovery, the only known examples were lower grade examples, often heavily abraded or cleaned. Three moderately high grade examples of the variety were recovered from the wreck of the S. S. Central America but to this day it remains a formidable condition rarity. PCGS has only recorded a grand total of nine events in any Mint State level for this variety, two at the MS-60 level and seven at the MS-61 level. Moreover, CAC has stickered a single MS-60, and just four examples at MS-61. For the dedicated double eagle specialist seeking one of the finest examples of this elusive variety, here marks the end of your search.，PCGS# 8909. NGC ID: 268M.，PCGS Population: 7; none finer.，
