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.
1863
Gold Dollar - 1865-S Quarter Eagle - 1864 Three Dollar Gold
- 1861 Half Eagle - 1862 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.
1863
Gold Dollar - This nearly gem 1863 gold
dollar has subdued mint luster within its devices. A couple
of trivial marks on Liberty’s cheek and in the fields
keep this coin from the gem category.
The strike is sharp especially on the ends
of the feathers, Liberty’s hair, the leaves, knot,
and cotton bolls. Clash marks are seen on both sides of
the coin, which was struck from rotated dies. Neither the
rotation nor the clash marks detract from the coin’s
grade or value.
1865-S
Quarter Eagle - Traces of mint
luster remain within the devices of this Western
branch mint 1865-S quarter eagle. A small touch
of wear on the high points and light abrasion are
seen, in keeping with the grade. The coin shows
central weakness on both sides, as is usual for
this date and mint. The reverse was struck from
Type 1 dies, which have long arrowheads and closed
talons.
1864 Three Dollar
Gold - This lightly worn, still
lustrous 1864 three dollar piece is sharply struck
on the obverse. We see all the details of Liberty’s
hair and feathers. There are some surface abrasions
and slight wear on the high points, in keeping with
the AU55 grade. Although not note on the holder,
the coin was struck by rotated dies.
1861
Half Eagle - Here is a neat choice
About Uncirculated 1861 half eagle fresh to the
market. While not rare in the absolute term, this
popular Civil War dated coin is not always as easy
to find with original surfaces. Many have been cleaned
dipped, or otherwise altered. Usually, this is done
on coins which are truly on the upper end of the
About Uncirculated scale, like the present coin,
to attain a Mint State grade. Luckily for the serious
collector, the present coin has retained its original
green-yellow skin. Under that original coloration
lie relatively mark-free fields, with no major blemishes
to be noted and frosty luster on both sides.
1862
Eagle - This 1862 gold eagle shows
some mint luster remaining within the devices. The
coin shows light abrasion and just a bit of wear
on the high points, in keeping with the grade. The
strike is average with weakness shown on about half
of the stars and the center portion of the obverse.
The reverse also shows slight weakness on the arrowheads,
the leaves, and the vertical stripes.
1861
Double Eagle - This Civil War dated
1861 Double Eagle has muted mint luster remaining
in protected areas on both sides of the coin. The
centers of the stars on the obverse indicated the
coin was well struck. Double eagles minted from
1859 to the 1890’s do not usually show sharpness
of hair detail; however, there is sufficient separation
of the lines of Liberty’s hair to warrant
the grade.
