1859 Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-50 (PCGS).Handsome honey-rose patina blankets surfaces that retain flickers of original semi-prooflike luster in the protected areas around the devices. Boldly defined over the focal features, a few light reeding marks in the center of the obverse are noted for accuracy. With a mere 43,597 circulation strikes produced, the 1859 boasts the lowest mintage among Philadelphia Mint double eagles produced up to that point in time. Examples are scarce in all grades, Q. David Bowers (2004) accounting for just 250 to 350 circulated survivors and a mere three to five pieces in Mint State. Obviously, the 1859 has not benefited from any shipwreck or similar finds that increased the high grade availability of issues such as the 1857-S and 1865-S. Finer than the typically encountered VF or EF example, this desirable AU would make a significant addition to an advanced double eagle set.PCGS# 8926. NGC ID: 269A.