1868 Liberty Head Eagle. MS-60 (PCGS). CAC.This extraordinary condition rarity is one of the very finest circulation strike 1868 eagles available to advanced gold enthusiasts. The surfaces are fully original and exhibit warm rose-gold color. Noticeably semi-prooflike, although the design elements are frosty. They are also sharply rendered and crisp, and the surfaces have only wispy handling marks to define the grade.<p>The 1868 was produced at a time when gold coins were not in active circulation in the East and Midwest. As a result, the Philadelphia Mints output of eagles that year amounted to just 10,630 circulation strikes, actually a generous total for an 1860s Liberty Head eagle as most of the surrounding issues were produced in far fewer numbers. For example, the mintage for the 1867 is just 3,090 circulation strikes, while that for the 1869 is only 1,830. The fact that the 1868 is the most frequently encountered 1860s eagle after only the 1861 should not conceal the rarity of this issue in an absolute sense. Mint State survivors are particularly elusive, as the little contemporary numismatic interest was focused on yearly Proof production, itself limited with survivors exceedingly rare in todays market. One of the few Uncirculated 1868 eagles that we can recall offering, and the only one to meet with strict CAC approval, this example represents what could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime bidding opportunity.PCGS# 8653. NGC ID: 264N.PCGS Population: 6; 5 finer in this category (MS-62 finest).<p>CAC Population: 1; 0.From our sale of the Fairmont Collection-Hendricks Set, Spring 2022 Auction, April, lot 5285.
