1864 Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-58 (PCGS). CAC.A premium quality Choice AU example of this key date Civil War era gold issue. Lovely honey-rose color blankets both sides, the surfaces fully lustrous with strong eye appeal. Bold to sharp in strike and remarkably well preserved.<p>Federal records report that 204,235 circulation strike double eagles were coined at the Philadelphia Mint during 1864, and due to the continued problem with hoarding - which lasted until late December 1879 - none were used in regular day-to-day transactions in the eastern half of the United States. It seems that many were exported, and to the extent that this happened, most were likely melted into bullion, as examples have not turned up in European bank hoards to any great extent. We estimate a surviving population of between 300 to 450 circulated pieces, most of which grade VF or EF. Dave Bowers, in his study of the series, estimated a Mint State population of only between three and five pieces. David Akers, writing in 1982, stated: "I have never personally examined a true Mint State piece, and despite the rather numerous auction records, have seen relatively few that could even be graded AU." Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth (2008) commented: "There were 42 examples of the 1864 Philadelphia issue on board the <em>S.S. Republic</em>, but this is very small in comparison to the large number of double eagle collectors." Not all of these coins were Uncirculated or choice.<p>As a non-shipwreck example with superior surface preservation and eye appeal, the Fairmont Collection specimen offered here is one of the most desirable 1864 double eagles available to todays collectors. It will certainly see spirited competition at auction.PCGS# 8941. NGC ID: 269S.From the Fairmont Collection - CAG Set.
