4878

1859-O $20 AU53 NGC. In 1992, Doug Winter ranked the 1859-O as the third rarest O-mint Double Eagle.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:NA Estimated At:45.00 - 60.00 USD
1859-O $20 AU53 NGC. In 1992, Doug Winter ranked the 1859-O as the third rarest O-mint Double Eagle.
1859-O $20 AU53 NGC. In 1992, Doug Winter ranked the 1859-O as the third rarest O-mint Double Eagle after the 1856-O and 1854-O. When he helped us catalog the Eagle Collection that sold as part of our January 2002 FUN Signature Sale, however, he readjusted the rarity ranking of the '59-O to fourth after the 1856-O, 1854-O, and 1855-O. There can be little doubt that the present issue still ranks as one of the most significant gold rarities from the New Orleans Mint. A mere 9,100 pieces were produced, and no more than 85 coins are believed extant in all grades. While as many as 20 of these coins grade AU, most are heavily abraded and display evidence of having been cleaned at one time or another. The present example, on the other hand, is problem-free for a branch mint Twenty at the AU53 level of preservation. Both sides retain traces of a semi-prooflike finish--the finish often encountered on survivors of this issue. True, the surfaces are extensively abraded, but there are no singularly distracting handling marks. The strike is average, but the main design elements exhibit suitably bold definition. The clashmarks that are typically associated with this issue are not readily evident in the center of the obverse, a fact that could suggest a very early die state. This coin is identical in grade to the PCGS-certified example that realized $14,950 as lot 1732 in Bowers and Merena's October 1999 sale of Part II of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection. We have not offered an example at this grade level since 1992, although we did sell an AU58 NGC representative (lot 4025, realized $26,450) as part of the aforementioned Eagle Collection. Any 1859-O Double Eagle that grades at least AU53 qualifies for Condition Census standing.From the Ashland City Collection. Important notice: We expect to be auctioning lots at the rate of 200-250 per hour. Sometimes eBay Premier live bid software cannot keep up with that pace, so we strongly recommend that you place a realistic proxy bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. Also please note that all Heritage/CAA lots purchased through eBay Premier carry a 20% Buyer's Premium. Please make sure you read the Terms and Conditions.