1860 Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-64 (NGC). CAC. This beautiful 1860 double eagle is a visually stunning example even at arms length. Dominant golden-wheat shades display a hint of olive gold on the reverse. Satiny and matte-like throughout, the overall appearance certainly suggests full Gem quality at first glance. A thin mark above the eagles head is noted for accuracy, though the surfaces remain otherwise untroubled. Among the finest known survivors, just a single coin ranks finer at NGC and only one is listed higher at CAC. This is a true connoisseurs coin that belongs in the finest gold type set or specialized Liberty double eagle collection. Acquired in July 1997 and now available to a new generation of collectors. <p>The Philadelphia Mint struck 577,670 circulation strike double eagles in 1860, of which approximately 2,000 to 3,000 coins are thought to survive. The vast majority are circulated and concentrated in the VF to AU range. Prior to the recovery of the <em>S.S. Republic</em> shipwreck, numismatic scholars accounted for only 40 to 60 Mint State examples. That shipwreck treasure contributed 82 additional examples to the extant population, 43 of which are Mint State. To the best of our knowledge, the <em>S.S. Republic </em>find represents the only hoard of 1860 double eagles to have entered the numismatic market. With an estimated population of no more than 100 or so coins, the 1860 remains rare in Mint State. Most such pieces are in lower grades, MS-60 to MS-62, and a superior near-Gem example like the Zito specimen is an important treasure.</p> From the Dr. Paul and Rosalie Zito Collection. Acquired July 10, 1997.
