The year 1850 was significant for U.S. history and coin collecting alike. A time of political unrest and cultural shifts, it also marked the start of regular double eagle production at the Philadelphia and New Orleans mints. The coins minted then were deeply connected to these historic events, especially the California Gold Rush. This article focuses on 1850 type 1 double eagles specifically – exploring their unique features, strike quality, rarity, and why they appeal to collectors today.

1850 American History At-A-Glance

I.M. Singer invented the sewing machine, revolutionizing the clothing industry. be valuable and appealing, especially when considering details like their strike quality and rarity.
The Compromise of 1850 was passed, admitting California as a free state while leaving the issue of slavery unresolved in new territories.
President Zachary Taylor died in office, and Millard Fillmore became the 13th President.
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter was published, making a lasting impression on American literature.
Levi Strauss designed rugged workwear for California Gold Rush miners, and blue jeans were born—a fashion staple that would forever change American culture.

1850 U.S. Gold Coins

In 1850, four mints—Philadelphia, New Orleans, Charlotte, and Dahlonega—produced U.S. gold coins in five denominations: gold dollar, quarter eagle, half eagle, eagle, and the first-ever double eagle.

The double eagle coins minted in 1850 hold special significance as they were struck from gold discovered during the California Gold Rush, a defining event in U.S. history. These coins were minted in Philadelphia and New Orleans, with a total mintage of 1,170,261 in Philadelphia and 141,000 in New Orleans.

The 1850 Double Eagle Coinage

The 1850 type 1 double eagle is sought-after because it is the first collectible Liberty Head double eagle. While lower-grade examples are relatively common, coins in higher grades become rare, especially those above About Uncirculated (AU). The 1850 double eagle in Mint State is even more challenging to find, with Mint State-61 and higher being extremely scarce.

Philadelphia Mint (1850)

Mintage: 1,170,261
Rarity Ranking:
- Overall: 36th of 43
- Premium Quality: 30th of 43
Strike: The 1850 double eagle from Philadelphia is one of the best-struck coins of the Type I series. The obverse often displays sharp detail in Liberty’s hair and the stars, while the reverse showcases strong details in the eagle’s feathers and the border.
Surfaces: These coins typically show significant abrasions, but there are cleaner examples with only minor marks. Raised die polishing marks, often mistaken for hairlines, are common on this issue.
Luster: Coins from this year can have either a frosty luster with a grainy texture or semi-proof-like to nearly fully proof-like reflectiveness. The proof-like coins are often heavily bag-marked.
Coloration: Original coins often show a rich green-gold or medium orange-gold hue, though it’s becoming harder to find pieces with natural, pleasing colors.
Eye Appeal: Overall, the 1850 double eagles have above-average eye appeal, with good strike, luster, and color in higher-grade coins.
Interesting Varieties: Varieties with an Open 5 and Closed 5 exist but do not command a premium.
Buying Tips: The 1850 double eagle is historically significant and popular with collectors. If possible, look for a well-struck example in Mint State-60 or better.
Proofs: Though a small number of Proofs were struck, none are currently traced. If discovered, a Proof 1850 double eagle would be among the most valuable U.S. gold coins.
Hoards: The S.S. Central America treasure contained 26 circulated examples, and 92 were found in the 1934 “Baltimore Hoard.”

New Orleans Mint (1850-0)

The 1850-0 double eagle is the first produced at a branch mint. While it was once considered a common issue, collectors have since discovered its rarity, particularly in higher grades above Extremely Fine.

Mintage: 141,000
Rarity Ranking:
- Overall: 13th of 17
- Premium Quality: 12th of 17
Strike: The New Orleans-minted 1850-0 double eagle generally has a weaker strike than its Philadelphia counterpart, especially on the obverse. Liberty’s curls and the date are often less detailed.
Surfaces: Most examples from this mint show heavy abrasions, with only a few surviving coins having relatively clean surfaces.
Luster: Luster is often lacking due to wear, with most examples displaying a slightly matte-like texture.
Coloration: The natural color is medium to deep green-gold, sometimes with orange-gold highlights. It’s difficult to find examples with pleasing, original color.
Eye Appeal: Good eye appeal is hard to come by with the 1850-0 double eagle due to weak strikes and heavily abraded surfaces. The few with strong appeal trade at higher prices among specialists.
Interesting Varieties: Like the Philadelphia issue, Open 5 and Closed 5 varieties exist but are not of significant interest to most collectors.
Buying Tips: Be cautious of coins with unattractive black smudges, as they can negatively affect value and appearance.
Condition Census: An 1850-0 double eagle grading About Uncirculated-58 is rare and considered within the Condition Census. A high-end AU-55 coin may also qualify.

Collecting 1850 Double Eagles

Collectors highly prize the 1850 double eagles from the Philadelphia and New Orleans mints due to their historical significance as the first Liberty Head double eagles. While lower-grade coins are relatively easy to find, higher-grade examples, especially in Mint State, are rare and command a premium. Collectors should look for well-struck, high-quality coins with good luster and original color to add significant value to their collections.

Future posts will explore the following years in greater detail, exploring the fascinating details that make each mintage unique and desirable.