1871 Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-58+ (PCGS). CAC. Vivid rose-gold patina with warm olive undertones evident as the surfaces rotate under a light. A few splashes of deep orange-gold add further visual interest and confirm strictly original surfaces. A sharply defined, near-fully lustrous example with much to recommend it to the discerning gold collector. The circulation strike mintage for the 1871 double eagle was tiny for the era with just 80,120 pieces produced for a face value of $1,602,400. This is the lowest Philadelphia Mint production tally of any date in this series after 1859 and prior to 1881. Many lightly worn examples of this date were exported in later banking transactions, only to return to America in the mid to late 20th century, though this repatriation brought back very few high grade Uncirculated specimens. In fact, we suggest just 25 to 30 or so examples of this issue qualify as Mint State today. Given such a paltry total for Uncirculated survivors this premium quality Choice AU -- conditionally rare in its own right -- represents a significant find for the astute bidder. From the Fairmont Collection.
