1870 Liberty Head Double Eagle. MS-62+ (PCGS). Handsome medium gold coloration with hints of original rose-apricot patina on both sides. This is a nicely struck, fully lustrous example with superior eye appeal for the assigned grade. Nearly Choice, and worthy of the strongest bids, as such.</p><p>Just 155,150 circulation strike double eagles of this date and mint were produced and many of these were sent overseas in later years, by which time they were worn. While EF and AU coins are readily obtainable in the context of the Type II Liberty Head series, Uncirculated examples are rare and seldom offered. In the year 1870 the few numismatists who were interested in collecting double eagles ordered Proofs from the Mint. In January 1936, Thomas L. Elder, in his offering of the Charles W. Sloane and Frank Lenz collections, offered an Uncirculated example and noted it was "very rare." More than any other dealer of the era, Elder, based in New York City, eagerly sought scarce gold coins of all denominations after 1933 when the government began calling them in. Elder sent out notices to bank tellers and others, offering premiums, and was responsible for saving countless thousands of pieces from the melting pot. By 1936 he was well aware that a Mint State 1870 double eagle was a rarity, as noted. The presently offered coin offers the successful bidder a chance to obtain a remarkably high grade example of this challenging issue. Condition Census!</p> PCGS# 8957. NGC ID: 26A7. PCGS Population: 2; 3 finer (MS-63+ finest). From the Fairmont Collection - JBR Set.
