Heritage World Coin Auctions
ANA Signature US Coin Sale 1258 2-6 Aug 2017
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Liberty Double Eagles
1850-O $20 MS61 NGC. Few gold issues from the New Orleans Mint can claim what would generally be considered a high mintage, especially within the double eagle series. If any O-Mint double eagle is to be considered collectible (at least in comparison the very rare later issues), it would have to be one of the first few dates struck of this denomination.
Until the San Francisco Mint was operational in 1854, gold mined in California during the height of the Gold Rush had to be shipped by steamboat to New Orleans and Philadelphia for coinage. The newly authorized double eagle was the denomination of choice for much of this bullion, which resulted in fairly substantial mintages at the New Orleans Mint in 1850 through 1853. Today, these issues are the most collectible twenties from this facility, with the 1850-O being the most popular due to its first-year issue status.
The 1850-O had a mintage of 141,000 pieces, most of which experienced extensive circulation in the South. Most known survivors are in the VF to XF grade range, and AU coins are considered upper-end for the issue. Only seven pieces have been certified as Mint State, including one PCGS MS61 coin and six NGC pieces -- two in MS60, three in MS61, and the sole finest known in MS62 (6/17).
Our Archives show very few Uncirculated examples that have been offered for public auction over the past 24 years. The highwater-mark still remains the MS61 coin we sold in our June 2014 Long Beach Auction, which brought $111,625. This piece is equally as appealing, with bright yellow-gold patina complementing noticeable semiprooflike mirroring in the fields. The design elements are well-struck. Light, scattered abrasions contribute to the grade, but the overall appeal is unusually high for the grade. A distinct condition rarity and one of the finer-known examples of this popular early New Orleans double eagle.
HID02901242017
1850-O $20 MS61 NGC. Few gold issues from the New Orleans Mint can claim what would generally be considered a high mintage, especially within the double eagle series. If any O-Mint double eagle is to be considered collectible (at least in comparison the very rare later issues), it would have to be one of the first few dates struck of this denomination.
Until the San Francisco Mint was operational in 1854, gold mined in California during the height of the Gold Rush had to be shipped by steamboat to New Orleans and Philadelphia for coinage. The newly authorized double eagle was the denomination of choice for much of this bullion, which resulted in fairly substantial mintages at the New Orleans Mint in 1850 through 1853. Today, these issues are the most collectible twenties from this facility, with the 1850-O being the most popular due to its first-year issue status.
The 1850-O had a mintage of 141,000 pieces, most of which experienced extensive circulation in the South. Most known survivors are in the VF to XF grade range, and AU coins are considered upper-end for the issue. Only seven pieces have been certified as Mint State, including one PCGS MS61 coin and six NGC pieces -- two in MS60, three in MS61, and the sole finest known in MS62 (6/17).
Our Archives show very few Uncirculated examples that have been offered for public auction over the past 24 years. The highwater-mark still remains the MS61 coin we sold in our June 2014 Long Beach Auction, which brought $111,625. This piece is equally as appealing, with bright yellow-gold patina complementing noticeable semiprooflike mirroring in the fields. The design elements are well-struck. Light, scattered abrasions contribute to the grade, but the overall appeal is unusually high for the grade. A distinct condition rarity and one of the finer-known examples of this popular early New Orleans double eagle.
HID02901242017