1858 Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-55 (PCGS). Subtle iridescent rose highlights otherwise deep honey surfaces on both sides of this fully original example. Sharply defined and lustrous for the grade, it is difficult for us to imagine a more inviting 1858 twenty at the assigned grade. The mintage for the date was just 211,714 pieces, down more than 227,000 pieces from the previous years tally at the Philadelphia Mint. Face value for this elusive issue is $4,234,280. Even circulated examples are scarce for an 1850s double eagle, and we estimate that some 900 to 1,200 examples are extant. The present piece is superior for the assigned grade and would do justice to an advanced gold cabinet. From the Fairmont Collection.