PCGS No: 8616

Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 121,701
Proofs: Unique?

Designer: Christian Gobrecht

Diameter: ±26.8 millimeters

Metal content:
Gold - ±90%
Other - ±10% 

Weight: ±258 grains (±16.7 grams)

Edge: Reeded

Mintmark: None (for Philadelphia) below the eagle on the reverse

Images courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions

Notes:
The finest Uncirculated examples graded by PCGS 2 MS-64's.

In August, 2004, NGC published a partial population report of gold coins recovered from the shipwrecked SS Republic.  Included were 44 1855 Eagles, ranging in grade from AU-50 to MS-62.

Significant examples:
NGC MS-61 (illustrated above).  Lot 6855 in Heritage's November 1999 "Santa Clara" Sale.

Recent appearances:
PCGS MS-64.  Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 7328, illustrated, not sold

NGC MS-63.  Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s "Philadelphia 2000 Signature Sale", August 6-7, 2000, Lot 7327, illustrated, sold for $10,350.00

AU-58.  Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 659, illustrated, sold for $4,370.00  Purchased from Bill Raymond on February 29, 1972

ANACS AU-55.  Heritage Numismatic Auctions, Inc.'s, "Summer 2001 Long Beach Signature Sale", May 31-June 2, 2001, Lot 9077, not plated, sold for $488.75

AU-50.  Bowers and Merena Galleries, "The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, Part IV Sale", November 20-21, 2000, Lot 660, illustrated, sold for $1,092.50  Purchased from Paramount's sale of February 1971, Lot 1583

Ef-45.  Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Lake Geneva Sale", 06/2001:1317, $368.00

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, July 2004" by The Professional Coin Grading Service

"The NGC Census Report", August 13, 2004, www.ngcoin.com