Lot 1580
1851-O $20 Liberty. NGC graded AU-55. A few scattered contact marks about the obverse rims, none too serious and plenty of mint luster evident to justify this high grade. To say that this specimen is above average is to state what is obvious from the photographs we supply. Liberty's features are smooth and damage-free, with excellent contours (still lustrous) and complete hair definition. Even the coronet on which is inscribed LIBERTY in raised letters, shows it edging of 13 pearls or beads.
American coins often have a 13-count for the number of stars, beads, stripes and whatnot, paying homage to the original 13 colonies that signed the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. The same 13 independent States each signed the Treaty of Paris (1783) ending the Revolutionary War. Students are often surprised to learn that there was no federally authorized signatory, only the newly independent states. But back to the coin itself, we've mentioned elsewhere the importance of New Orleans as an entrepôt for commerce and immigration to the Southern and Central part of the country in the mid-19th century. The mint at New Orleans was very productive in these years, and its coins, as exemplified here, were well made.Pop 108, 92 finer (PCGS # 8905) .
Estimated Value $6,000 - 7,000.
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| Realized $7,475 |
