LOT Heritage Rare Coin Galleries  /  2006 November Signature Coin Auction #420  / 

2315

1909-O $5 MS63 PCGS.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1909-O $5 MS63 PCGS.
<B>1909-O $5 MS63 PCGS.</B></I> Variety One: The mintmark is weakly impressed and shows doubling on its left side. The 1909-O, with a mintage of 34,200 business strikes, is the only Indian Head half eagle struck at the New Orleans Mint. It is one of the most sought-after issues in the series because of the low mintage and general scarcity in any Mint State grade. Doug Winter, in his 2006 <I>Gold Coins of the New Orleans Mint, 1839-1909,</B></I> notes that : "In recent years, the level of demand for this coin has soared and it now ranks as one of the most popular New Orleans issues of any denomination." With respect to the 1909-Os scarcity, Winter also writes: "Examples in the VF and XF are readily available. Attractive AU coins are fairly scarce and most graded as such by NGC and PCGS are low end pieces with poor eye appeal. The 1909-O is very scarce in properly graded Uncirculated with most survivors in the MS60 to MS62 range. This date is rare in MS63 and very rare in MS64. There are probably no more than three to five Gems known."<BR> While most 1909-Os seem to have rather unattractive patination, the MS63 coin that we offer in the present lot displays outstanding color characteristics - a blend of pretty orange-gold and mint-green. The luster is also pleasing, which again is unusual for the issue. Strike can be a problem on Mint State coins, especially on the lower feathers of the headdress and on the eagle's legs. The present coin is above average in these areas also. The only hint of minor softness occurs on the mintmark, which is typical for the variety, and on the eagle's shoulder, but even here all feather detail is visible. A few minute marks on the Indian's cheek and on the raised, exposed fields, especially on the reverse, preclude an even higher grade. Overall, a great representative of this key date. Population: 11 in 63, 13 finer (10/06).<BR><I>From The Dr. Eugene Cherny Collection of $5 and $10 Indians.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coin/Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>) <BR><BR><B>Important
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