3664

1909-O $5 MS62 NGC. This date, one of the most sought-

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:28,000.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1909-O $5 MS62 NGC. This date, one of the most sought-
<B>1909-O<$5> MS62 NGC.</B></I> This date, one of the most sought-after in the entire Indian Head half eagle series, ranks as one of the rarest 20th century U.S. gold coinage issues. The mintage was extremely low, with a total production of just 34,200 coins. It is clearly the lowest mintage issue of the design, and it is one of just three different dates with mintages below 100,000 coins, along with 1908-S and 1911-D. Equally important, this is the only Indian Head gold coinage issue struck at the New Orleans Mint. The facility was in its final year of coinage operations and produced very few coins, concentrating primarily on the three Barber silver series. In fact, the total coinage output for the year was just under 4 million coins, with a total face value of $1,040,400. This equates to an average production of just $20,000 per week. The history of the branch Mint in New Orleans dates to an Act of Congress in 1835, authorizing Mints in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dahlonega, Georgia, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Plans for the buildings were prepared by William Strickland, and construction was soon under way. All three facilities opened their doors in 1838. All three Mints operated until 1861, when they were each closed due to the Civil War. The Charlotte and Dahlonega Mints would never strike another coin. However, the New Orleans Mint reopened in 1879, and continued to operate as a Mint until 1909. During those years its primary production was Morgan silver dollars through 1904 and Barber silver coinage through 1909.<BR> Mint State examples of this issue rarely appear for sale. Over the years, we have handled no more than two dozen such coins, nearly always at the very lowest Mint State grade levels. In fact, better grade examples of this date have only appeared in our auctions seven times. This example is a lovely coin with rich orange color over brilliant and satiny yel