1853 Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-61 (PCGS). CAC.Light honey-rose patina with blended pinkish-rose highlights very much in evidence as the coin rotates under a light. Smartly impressed with most design elements fully defined, both sides also offer billowy mint luster in an inviting satin to softly frosted texture. Minimally abraded for the assigned grade, and undeniably original, it is difficult for us to imagine a more desirable early date double eagle at the MS-61 level. The Philadelphia Mints output of double eagles in 1853 fell somewhat from the previous year, resulting in a mintage of 1,261,326 circulation strikes for a face value total of $25,226,520. Some portion of this mintage went overseas in later years, primarily to London, with many such pieces returning to the United States after World War Two. Despite third party certification data that suggests otherwise --undoubtedly due to multiple resubmissions -- we believe that perhaps as few as 15 to 20 <em>different</em> Mint State 1853 double eagles can be accounted for today. This is a remarkably limited total considering the "common date" status this issue has in numismatic circles. Obviously, the 1853 is far more elusive in Mint State than the relatively generous mintage suggests. A find for the astute double eagle enthusiast.PCGS Population: 25; 27 finer (MS-63 finest).From the Fairmont Collection.
