Lot 1763
1858-O $20 Liberty. NGC graded AU-55. Lovely golden toning with traces of luster adhering to the devices. Only 35,250 struck. Smooth, attractive surface throughout, this piece displays its greatest vibrancy when observed with the aid of a strong light. The color is a rich, even, honey-gold shade, and the surfaces present as uncommonly smooth for the grade with no noticeable abrasions impinging on the coin’s desirability. A sharp strike is also a praiseworthy attribute, which never suffers--and insignificantly--only on any of the obverse stars, all are complete with full radials.
While not in the same club as the great rarities 1854-O and 1856-O, the 1858-O is an elusive issue in all grades that ranks among the rarer Double Eagles from the New Orleans Mint. According to Doug Winter in the 2006 edition of the book Gold Coins of the New Orleans Mint: 1839-1909, survivors of this 35,250-piece issue number only 150-175 coins in all grades. Uncs are particularly rare and number fewer than seven or eight examples, hence the convenience of this more affordable (and immediately accessible) AU55 specimen. Pop 23; 23 in 58, 2 in 61, 2 in 62, 1 in 63 (PCGS # 8924) .
Estimated Value $12,000 - 14,000.
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| Realized $24,150 |
