Here is an early Philadelphia eagle coin that is near mint state and is graded by NGC as very choice about uncirculated AU-58. Lovely apricot coloration on this fine specimen. The Garret & Guth Encyclopedia says "The 1840 eagle is an underrated date that is almost impossible to find in mint state" Most specimens are generally found in lower grades such as extremely fine, or worse yet, found cleaned and/or damaged. Choice specimens like the one shown here are rare, with combined PCGS/NGC populations of only 19 coins with only 8 finer.