1849 Coronet Eagle PCGS Vs You

Jeez, I'll say MS-63, just a stab.

Looks MS63 with semi-proof like surfaces. I'd love to see it in hand because it looks so different in the different images.

MS-62, slight PL qualities upon fresh polishing of the dies.

MS-62. Very attractive example

The first guess was AU(58), which I believe somehow got removed/deleted. It wasn't a bad guess, but it surprised me, because this coin has sharper details than most from its year (of the ones I have seen online), and doesn't seem to have any "rub" on it. The rest of the guesses were eerily consistent, ranging from MS(61) to MS(63), and of course, PCGS calls it MS(62). Yeah, there is a bit of chatter on this one, but MS(62) seems fair. It shocks me how high the price jumps up with each single numerical grade, starting at MS(61).

In hand, this coin looks almost polished, especially on the obverse. Jacrispies mentioned polished dies, which must explain the coin's glossy, "watery" appearance in the fields. It stands apart from the other few gold coins I have for that reason, given that circumstance.

While I love coins with a "proof like" look, I usually don't like coins with a "polished" look (duh, right?), but this one is interesting--there is clearly some natural luster still there, even on the obverse, but the extensive die polishing does seem to "wash things out" a bit.

I am asking all experts and dealers on here--how prevelant are heavily polished dies on these MS No Motto Coronet Eagles? I assume it's not relevant for low AU, EF, and lower circulated grades as the die polishing remnants are worn off at that point...

The good: Clean devices and an almost pl look to them. The not so good: Lots of light chatter on the obverse fields and the diagonal lines on the reverse. It's a high two all day but what I think you are looking at is could it be a three. For me that is a toss up as you are close with that luster but think it's properly graded. I pulled the PCGS picture when looking at it. I know it matters as I also saw the pop here. Wonder if it would CAC?

For a series as a whole, liberty head gold eagles are very scarce to rare with the PL designation on the holder. Generally speaking very rare dates with low mintages can be common with a prooflike finish, because the dies only struck a handful of examples with most of the coins displaying qualities of a very early die state. Strong PL finish on both sides is extremely difficult, especially on the early no motto liberty eagles. PCGS Pop for no mottos in PL is only 1 (1856)!

I think this was a very good purchase, as it stands out from all the other 1849 eagles in mint state.

Here is another PL quality 1849 graded MS-61* by NGC:
https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/l...s-61-ngc-cac



For the vast majority of gold issues, the population drops significantly in the mid mint state range due to the way these were stored. Being shipped in bank bags around the world and treated as bullion, these surely took a beating. To me, any high denomination liberty gold with a clean cheek is a "wow" coin because of how few are actually seen.

Thanks so much! Do you think it is worth it to send this to CAC?