A gold 1907 high relief double eagle will carry an estimate of $190,000-210,000 to Bonhams' coins and medals sale in Los Angeles on June 2.
The coin was designed by August Saint-Gaudens and was initially created in an ultra high relief finish, which proved to be impractical. Only around 20-24 were ever struck, with one example selling last year for $1.1m. Another sold for $2.9m at Heritage in 2005.
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The example offered in the sale is one of the more common high relief specimens and is recognised by NGC as a proof, although grading company PCGS contends that there are no proof issues for the year.
An 1859 $20 proof 62+ cameo is valued at $150,000-180,000.
Around 80 proof double eagles are thought to have been minted in 1859, of which around 10 are known to exist across a variety of grades.
The reduction in numbers results from the violent political upheavals that struck America shortly after the coin's production, including the civil war and the resultant reconstruction period. The majority of collectors were forced to sell off or spend their collections.
An MS65 graded 1924 double eagle is another highlight, with an estimate of $90,000-100,000.
The issue was considered the rarest double eagle in existence until the 1950s, when a large cache was discovered in Europe.
We have a superb range of rare coins available to purchase.
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