1863 Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-60 (PCGS).Lovely medium gold surfaces are sharply struck with full satin luster. The Philadelphia Mint produced just 142,790 circulation strike double eagles in 1863. Due to hoarding, the issue did not circulate in the East or Midwest. Gold coins were available only by paying a sharp premium for them. It is likely that many double eagles of this era were exported and melted at their destination, as Uncirculated examples have not turned up in European bank hoards. In fact, many of the 50 to 55 Mint State pieces extant have been recovered from the wreck of the <em>S.S. Republic</em> by Odyssey Marine Exploration. Given that the 1863 is scarce even in circulated grades (Bowers, 2004, accounts for just 200 to 300 worn examples), the opportunity to acquire this handsome MS-60 deserves serious bidder attention.PCGS Population: 3; 20 finer (MS-64 finest).From the Fairmont Collection.
