MINTAGE: 142,790

+ 30 Proofs

The 1863 remains one of the scarcer Type One double eagles from the Philadelphia mint. It is not easily located in any grade, and it is rare in Uncirculated although not as much so as when the first edition of this book was published in 2002. It used to be nearly as rare as the 1862 in high grades, but the discovery of some Uncirculated examples in the S.S. Republic treasure and other sources (see below) has changed this date’s rarity profile.

STRIKE: The strike seen on the 1863 double eagle varies. There are some examples which are fairly sharp on the hair of Liberty with many of the curls around the face and below the ear showing partial definition. Other examples are weak in this area and do not show as much separation in the curls. Most are sharper than average on the top of the head and the bow knot. The stars are generally sharp with partial to full radial line detail. The reverse may show some weakness on the shield, but most 1863 double eagles have strong peripheral detail on the reverse. The S.S. Republic coins tend to be better struck than average on both the obverse and the reverse.

SURFACES: Many show extensive abrasions on the surfaces. These marks tend to be deep and placed in prominent focal points such as the cheek of Liberty and in the left obverse field. Many have been cleaned or dipped at one time. The S.S. Republic coins tend to show much cleaner surfaces. While often abraded in the obverse fields, the high-grade pieces from this source have the cleanest surfaces which I have seen on this date.

LUSTER: Uncleaned, higher grade 1863 business strikes have good frosty luster with a mildly reflective texture. There are a very small number know which are semi-prooflike. It has always been hard to find an example which has not been cleaned or dipped. The S.S. Republic coins have very good luster and this makes them easily recognizable.

COLORATION: The natural color is a medium to deep yellow-gold. Some show a slightly more orange-gold hue. Not many are known with natural color as most have been cleaned or dipped at one time. The S.S. Republic coins show nice medium yellow-gold color. While these coins have been conserved by NGC, this was done with consummate skill and the coins have a very pleasing natural appearance.

EYE APPEAL: This date has below average eye appeal. The typical 1863 double eagle is well worn and it shows some weakness on the obverse around the face. Many are noticeably abraded and lack any sense of originality due to having been cleaned or processed. The few choice pieces that are known are held in strong regard, and these sell for strong premiums amongst knowledgeable collectors. The S.S. Republic coins tend to have well above average eye appeal for this issue, and the majority of CAC-quality 1863 double eagles are from this source.

INTERESTING VARIETIES: There are no significant varieties known.

PROOFS: There were 30 Proofs struck. There are around 10 to 12 known today with at least two or three impounded in museum collections. Most survivors are in the PR63 to PR64 range and show medium to strong cameo contrast. As of the end of 2023, PCGS had graded two in PR63, two in PR64, two in PR64CAM, one in PR65+CAM, and two in PR64DCAM for a total of nine. NGC had graded two in PR63CAM, two in PR64CAM, and one each in PR64DCAM, PR65CAM, PR65CAM★, and PR66CAM for a total of eight. It is probable that these figures include a number of multiple submissions.

CAC has approved two Proofs: a PCGS PR65 CAM and an NGC Proof PR66CAM. The auction record for a Proof 1863 double eagle is $1,020,000 which was set by Heritage 8/5/2022: 3620, graded PR65+CAM by PCGS/CAC and ex Bob Simpson Collection.

HOARDS: There were many examples found in the S.S. Republic. The original NGC population figures have changed as coins have been removed from their holders and put into PCGS holders. A lone Genuine example came from the Saddle Ridge Hoard. There have been five 1863 double eagles from the Fairmont Hoard sold as of the end of 2023 with the the best being a pair of PCGS MS61’s which brought $40,000 and $36,000 in their auction appearances. In 2023, a hoard containing 700+ US gold coins was located in Kentucky and it contained a small number (around six to eight) of high grade 1863 double eagles. Click here to read more on this find https://news.artnet.com/art-world/800-vintage-coins-kentucky-2337331

BUYING TIPS: This historically significant date is very popular and it has collector appeal outside of the specialist community. Date collectors tend to look either for a nice mid-range AU or they splurge for an impressive Uncirculated example. Be patient and wait for a clean, well struck piece with nice color; these coins are still available and they do not command a huge price premium over a “typical” 1863.

AUCTION RECORD: A new auction record of $90,000 was set by a PCGS MS63 sold as Heritage 2/2020: 3313. I bought this as an agent for the New England Collection.

FINEST KNOWN: The finest known is a single MS64 graded by PCGS. This coin is in the Hansen Collection. Two other coins have claims to finest known status. These are an NGC MS64* and an MS64+ (approved by CAC) from the Kentucky Hoard

RARITY:

TOTAL KNOWN: 400-500+

BY GRADE:

• Very Fine: 40-50

• Extremely Fine: 130-160

• About Uncirculated: 210-250

• Uncirculated: 30-40

PCGS Number: 8939

POPULATION FIGURES: As of the end of 2023, PCGS had graded four in MS60, 11 in MS61, 8 in MS62, one in MS62+, three in MS63, and one in MS64 for a total of 28 in Uncirculated. NGC had graded four in MS60, 13 in MS61, 11 in MS62, seven in MS63, one in MS63+, two in MS64, and one each in MS64 * and MS64+ for a total of 40 in Uncirculated. This includes 17 coins from the S.S. Republic. These figures are inflated by resubmissions, especially in MS61 and MS62.

CAC has approved one in MS60, four in MS61, one in MS62, three in MS63 and one in MS64 for a total of 10 in Uncirculated.

PERFORMANCE SINCE 2002: In the current market, a choice About Uncirculated example of this date (equivalent to an AU55) would sell in the $13,000-15,000 range. The same coin in 2002 would have sold for $6,000-8,000. In the current market, an average quality Uncirculated example of this date (equivalent to an MS61) would sell in the $30,000-35,000 range. It is hard to determine what this coin would have sold for in 2002 given the rarity of this issue at that time; my best estimate is in the $15,000-20,000 range. This date has performed well in the last decade, and clearly the S.S. Republic hoard has in fact helped this date rather than depressed its prices as some thought it would.

COMMENTS: Perhaps no other rare date Type One double eagle had its profile changed as much as the 1864 since the publication of the first edition of this book. This is the result of the discovery of hundreds of pieces on the S.S. Republic which were graded About Uncirculated and Uncirculated by NGC. The examples from this source which are now in PCGS holders (often at grades higher than their original level) are not indicted on the holder, but are easy to attribute due to their appearance.

LAST UPDATED: 1/24/2024