I have my eyes set on an 1874 Liberty Head $20 Double Eagle - 100 years before I was born. I want the coin slabbed by NGC or PCGS, but am not sure when to pull the trigger and on what coin. So for all you Pre-33 gold freaks, what would you do? Should I buy the best coin for under $2000, or should I throw some additional funds at it? What should I look for? Modern coins are easy, but this one has me kind of stumped. Thankfully, 1874 Double Eagles are relatively common - more than 1.6 million were made, so I can get a little extra bang for my buck.
When I buy gold, my inclination is to buy the best grade I can afford. But I haven't had a target date like yours. Study auction prices. Good luck! Sounds like a fun project.
Don't kid yourself . . . 1874-P double eagles are not common. You'd get more grade for your money with an 1874-S, but more value with a lower grade 1874-P. - Mike
There are several "Granite Lady Hoard" Eagles that were recovered from the US Mint after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. Cool story to go with a great coin, but they seem lack luster. ~ $1700 XF45.
I thought about your idea, which was pretty neat. So I went back 100 years from the year of my birth to see the prices for double eagles for that year and maybe do what you're doing. Safe to say that ain't going to happen!
Absolutely pay up for GEM quality -- MS-65 or better. I wouldn't even buy one without the TPG slab. Not unless he is an expert grader.
Find a nice PCGS/NGC AU 58 with great eye appeal and preferably a CAC sticker as well. He would have to make the new highest graded for any of the 1874s so thats not happening for that date
