1861-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. Anthony C. Paquet Reverse. AU-50 (PCGS).This is a monumental rarity in the Liberty Head double eagle series, representing a collision of medallic philosophy and economic practicality. Considerable satiny luster blooms from around the design elements across both sides, complementing the golden-apricot hue that dominates the complexion. The strike is sharp and uniform, rendering bold devices with just a trace of friction atop the highest points. A glass will reveal trivial marks scattered throughout the fields, though none of these are individually distracting and all blend well into the overall aesthetic. An attractive and gently circulated example of this elusive rarity. pBelieved to be the son of bronze-worker Toussaint Francois Paquet, Anthony C. Paquet was born in Hamburg, Germany on December 5, 1814, and arrived in Philadelphia in 1848. At some point in the mid-1850s, Paquet opened an engraving business in New York, during which time he is believed to have struck several medals, apparently all unsigned, except for THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ECHO BACK FREMONT campaign medal. In early 1857, Paquet took up contract work for the Philadelphia Mint before finally being hired on as an assistant engraver. Among his projects at the Mint were mostly pattern coins, once again unsigned, including a fascinating copper double eagle pattern, Judd-257.pBy far his most well known work is that of the United States militarys highest decoration for valor, the Medal of Honor instituted by President Abraham Lincoln on July 12, 1861, the pattern for which bears Paquets script signature on the obverse. He is also thought to have prepared a set of letter punches that were used on several patterns, but also are believed to have planned for use on regular circulation dimes, quarters, and half dollars, though this never came to fruition. To this day, the reverse dies he prepared for the 1861 double eagles remain the only coin designs that have been positively attributed to Paquet, who left the Mint in 1864 and returned to private business, though he continued to take on government work periodically. Anthony Paquet died in Philadelphia in 1882.pOne of the defining features of Paquets double eagle reverse is the tall and thin logotype style he preferred, as compared to the rather squat font employed by Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre. The most readily apparent diagnostic between the Paquet reverse and the regular Longacre reverse may be found with the letter O in OF. The Paquet logotype has an extremely thin space between the uprights on the letter, while Longacres is significantly wider and much more of a circle. Another defining indicator is how the central halo of stars above the eagle interacts with the rays; they are separate on the Paquet reverse but are nestled in with the rays on the Longacre reverse dies. Paquet prepared four sets of dies using his distinctive lettering for use at the Philadelphia Mint, as well as the branch mints at New Orleans and San Francisco. In early December the dies were shipped to San Francisco, and to New Orleans a few days later, along with a note instructing the coiner that they "will require the modification of the milling to suit the border." pOn January 5, 1861 production with the new reverse dies began at the Philadelphia Mint and was almost immediately halted after concerns were raised that the narrow rim of the reverse design would lead to poor wearing characteristics. Mint Director James Ross Snowden sent directives to New Orleans and San Francisco to cease use of the new dies and return to using the original Longacre dies. New Orleans received this message with ample time for the branch mints officials to withdraw the new dies from service and no 1861-O double eagles were struck with the Paquet reverse. The story was different with the directive sent to San Francisco. Messages sent to the West Coast required using telegraph and overland express and took a very long time to reach their intended destination. Snowdens directive did not reach the San Francisco Mint until early February, and only after 19,250 double eagles with Paquets reverse were struck and subsequently issued before the cease order could be implemented.pOnly two confirmed examples of the Philadelphia Mint Paquet Reverse double eagle are known, making it one of the greatest American numismatic rarities. The 1861-S Paquet Reverse exists in somewhat larger numbers. Although, with estimates ranging from as few as 100 coins to nearly 275 surviving examples it is still one of the rarest and most coveted issues in the Liberty Head double eagle series. As with much of the early products of the San Francisco Mint, most examples of this issue that were released into commerce stayed there and saw heavy use. The typical survivor is well worn, if not also impaired, and to this day, not a single problem free Mint State example has been confirmed by PCGS or NGC. As an original, attractive and problem-free AU, the coin offered here would serve as a highlight in the finest double eagle set.
