The
numismatic adventure can be enriched by acquiring groups of
coins in meaningful combinations. Sets of coins can run from
two pieces to many. In the areas of rare date and early silver
and gold coins we have established certain sets of special
interest. They include the first and last of an issue, type
sets, design sets, year sets, and those that are joined by
historical events such as the Civil War. The coins of each
set are specially selected for you and your collecting needs.
We are specialists in this
area and will expertly and confidentially help you assemble
a set similar to the one you see below, which is made up of
pieces from the US Rare Coin Investments’ archives.
We will cherry pick through millions of dollars of rare coins
selecting only the finest quality pieces for your collection.
1862
Gold Dollar - 1861 Quarter Eagle - 1862 Three Dollar Gold
- 1861 Half Eagle - 1861 Eagle - 1861 Double Eagle
Civil War Gold Type Set:
While the Civil War affected the production of gold coins,
nonetheless they continued to be struck in several denominations
including the gold dollar, the quarter eagle, the three-dollar
gold piece, the half eagle, the eagle, and the double eagle.
The gold dollar and the three-dollar gold piece have similar
designs as do the quarter eagle, the half eagle, and the
eagle.
The dollar and three-dollar piece were designed
by James B. Longacre. He used the Indian Princess motif
for both denominations. Aside from the size and denominations,
the coins are very similar. The design shows a head of Liberty
facing left. She wears a stylized headdress with the top
feathers facing outward. Her hair is drawn back and falls
down her neck to the truncation. The legend UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA surrounds. The reverse shows an open wreath made
of cotton, corn, wheat, and tobacco tied with a bow. Within
the wreath is the denomination in two lines with the date
below it. If a mintmark is present, it is below the bow
knot.
The quarter eagle, half eagle, and eagle
coins were an earlier design by Christian Gobrecht. Like
the dollar and three-dollar piece, all three are essentially
similar except for size and denomination. Known as the Liberty
Head motif, the design shows a youthful head of Liberty
facing left, wearing a coronet inscribe LIBERTY. Her hair
is tied with strings of beads and a bun at the back. Two
separate curls fall down her neck. She is surrounded by
thirteen six-pointed stars with the date below. The reverse
shows a heraldic eagle facing left. It wings are outstretched,
and in its talons are the arrows and olive branch symbolizing
preparedness and peace. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
interrupted by the wing tips, surrounds the eagle with the
denomination below.
The double eagle, also designed by Longacre,
is a modification of Gobrecht’s design. The portrait
of Liberty is once again surrounded by thirteen six-pointed
stars as she faces left in profile, wearing a LIBERTY inscribed
coronet; however, her hair is combed straight back and ends
in a loose knot at the back of her head. Two loose curls
touching each other fall down her neck. The hair on the
front of her head puffs out because the coronet is pressed
firmly down. The reverse shows a stylized heraldic eagle
design. While the eagle still faces left as it holds the
olive branch in its right claw and three arrows in its left,
its shield is now scalloped at the top, sides, and bottom.
Above the eagle’s head is an oval of thirteen six-pointed
stars. Above the stars from wing to wing is an arc of sun
rays that alternate heavier and longer with lighter and
shorter rays creating a scalloped effect. Ornate scrolls
are added to both sides of the eagle. The tips of these
scrolls are superimposed on the wings and tail of the eagle.
On the left scroll is E PLURIBUS with UNUM on the right
one. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is in an arc surrounding
the eagle with the denomination below. If a mintmark is
present, it is below the eagle’s tail.
1862
Gold Dollar - This Mint State, fresh, Civil
War dated 1862 Gold Dollar shimmers with
bright mint luster. The coin is well struck with full details
on the ends of the feathers, Liberty’s hair, the date,
and the bow knot. A slight bit of abrasion keeps this coin
from a higher mint state grade, which is confirmed by CAC.
This approval means that the coin is of premium quality
and fully merits the grade it was assigned.
1861
Quarter Eagle - Intricately defined,
the surfaces of this 1861 Quarter Eagle
have obviously been blessed with a powerful strike
from the dies. Both obverse and reverse also possess
lovely rose-gold color that, in conjunction with
satiny mint luster, provides above-average eye appeal
for the assigned grade.
1862 Three Dollar
Gold - This 1862, mint state, three-dollar
gold piece is clean, original, and, for the grade,
free of the usual heavy die striations that are
typical for the date. The strike is above average
in sharpness seen on most of the tips of the feathers,
the lines of Liberty’s hair below the headband,
the wreath details, the two central numerals of
the date, and the vertical division of the ribbon
knot. The coin is lustrous, especially in protected
areas on both sides.
1861
Half Eagle - Boldly struck and very
lustrous, this 1861 Half Eagle
piece has the eye appeal of a much higher grade.
Some bag marks in the fields, not easily noticed
without paying close attention are the only reasons
that limit the grade. The coin is totally original,
with light orange-yellow adding to the charm of
this piece. This is a great coin from one of the
most important years in United States history.
1861
Eagle - This 1861 Eagle
has excellent eye-appeal for the grade. The fields
are relatively free of marks, with only a few scattered
hairlines visible under magnification. At first
glance, the creamy and fresh fields, combined with
light devices will distract the eye from the few
imperfections this coin has.
Fully struck, all devices are brought
up to full detail, with no weakness discernible
on either side. The full satiny luster compliments
this coin, which has excellent eye-appeal. While
many coins certified at the lower mint state levels
do not have much eye-appeal, this coin truly is
an exception, and would make for a perfect addition
for a high grade set.
1861
Double Eagle - This sharply stuck,
Civil War dated 1861 Double Eagle
has much mint luster remaining within its devices.
The centers of the stars and the hair details on
the obverse and the design details on the reverse
all show evidence of a well struck piece. Sufficient
separation is seen between the lines of Liberty’s
hair and the coronet to warrant the grade. A couple
of small copper spots on the reverse are noted for
the sake of accuracy. Otherwise, the surfaces are
clean and attractive for the grade.
