1861-O $20 AU55 NGC. Variety 1....

Description

1861-O Double Eagle, AU55
Famous Louisiana Semikey

1861-O $20 AU55 NGC. Variety 1. The 1861-O double eagle serves as a key issue in the twenty dollar gold series, but not necessarily because of its low mintage of 17,741 coins or even its survivorship, which stands at only 150 to 170 pieces. Rather, the perennial popularity of this Southern gold rarity stems in large part from the fact that examples were struck under the auspices of three different governing authorities: the Union from January 1 to January 26 (5,000 coins), the State of Louisiana from January 27 to March 31 (9,750 coins), and the Confederacy from April 1 to April 30 (2,991 coins).

According to research by Doug Winter and Dr. Joseph Gaines, it appears that the approximately 20% of surviving 1861-O double eagles with a strong date and obverse die crack correspond roughly to the 17% of the production believed to have been struck by the Confederacy. Although this example exhibits the typical weak date and lacks the obverse die crack, it remains one of the few available representatives from this final New Orleans double eagle issue before the Civil War shuttered the facility. Twenty dollar gold pieces were struck only once more in Louisiana in 1879.

With the exception of stars 2 and 3, the centers and radials lines are fully defined on this Choice AU offering. The central devices, Liberty and the eagle, are similarly well-detailed for a lightly circulated No Motto double eagle from the O-mint. Both sides feature yellow-gold color with the faintest traces of green. A brush of rub and lightly scattered hairlines explain the technical assessment, but they have no bearing on the appeal. Census: 11 in 55 (1 in 55 ★ ), 19 finer (3/21).
From The Cameron Collection. (Registry values: N4719)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 269J, PCGS# 8934, Greysheet# 9899)

Weight: 33.44 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

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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