1859-O $20 AU58 PCGS....

Description

Exceptional 1859-O Double Eagle, AU58

1859-O $20 AU58 PCGS. Every New Orleans double eagle coined after 1853 is an important rarity. Douglas Winter, in the second edition of Gold Coins of the New Orleans Mint (2006), calls the 1859-O the fourth rarest New Orleans twenty, trailing the 1855-O; the ultra-rare 1854-O and 1856-O issues lead the pack. He writes:

"The 1859-O double eagle is a very scarce issue in all grades. It is most often seen in Very Fine to Extremely Fine grades and it is rare in About Uncirculated. Most pieces in this grade range are no better than AU53, and the 1859-O becomes very rare in properly graded AU55. There are currently four Uncirculated pieces known."

PCGS and NGC combined have certified fewer than 110 1859-O twenties, and rate a mere three coins as Mint State. This near-Mint State example exhibits a better strike than ordinarily seen. Specifically, all obverse stars are bold, and most of Liberty's hair is strong. The wing tips and tail feathers reveal some of the usual softness, but the remaining reverse motif details are sharp. The surfaces display considerable medium yellow-gold luster and hints of reflectivity near the devices. Minute contact marks are scattered about, but they are fewer and less severe than ordinarily seen. This is significant, because Winter writes: "Almost every known 1859-O double eagle shows deep abrasions on the surfaces." Small contacts beneath obverse star 5 along with three milling marks under the left (facing) wing are mentioned strictly for pedigree identification.
Considering the above-average strike and minimally abraded surfaces, this is a truly exceptional offering that will draw serious attention from New Orleans Mint collectors and those of high quality, rare gold coinage. Population: 4 in 58, 1 finer (5/09).(Registry values: N4719)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 269B, PCGS# 8927, GSID# 9895)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 33.44 grams
AGW: 0.9675oz
Mintage: 9,100

Note for clients in the European Union: This lot is considered by the European Union to be “investment gold”. We believe that it meets the criteria established in Article 344(1), point (2) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC and thus should be exempt from import VAT regardless of the selling price. Any questions or concerns about VAT should be addressed to your accountant or local tax authority.

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