1850-O $20 MS61 PCGS. CAC. Winter-1. ...

Description

1850-O Double Eagle, MS61
Profound Mint State Rarity
Only One Finer at PCGS

1850-O $20 MS61 PCGS. CAC. Winter-1. The 1850-O double eagle was the first-year regular-issue twenty dollar gold coin, authorized by the Act of March 3, 1849, as well as the first twenty dollar gold piece produced at a branch mint and always sought by collectors as such. The New Orleans mintage was a moderate 141,000 coins and surviving examples are rare, with Mint State examples being exceedingly rare. This is one of only two pieces awarded a Mint State grade by PCGS out of the 320+ examples they have certified in all grades. Likewise, NGC reports Mint State designations to only nine 1850-O examples -- 4 in MS60, 4 in MS61, and one in MS62 -- among the 407 pieces they have handled in all grades (1/25). Some degree of crossover likely skews these totals.

To compound the scarcity, there are three varieties known for the 1850-O double eagle, with only Winter-3 considered common. This is a Mint State example of the better Winter-1 variety, the only die pair with an Open 5 in the date, and the mintmark not touching the tailfeathers. This coin exhibits lustrous green-gold color on the obverse, with the reverse showing varying shades of orange, red, and olive-gold. The New Orleans strike lacks definition on several obverse stars, while only minor weakness exists on a few face curls. Areas of softness are present at the central reverse as well, especially at the right (facing) shield ornaments and at UNUM. As expected at this grade level, numerous signs of contact appear, though aside from a mark to the right of star 5 on the obverse, none are meaningful for the assigned grade.

The few examples graded finer than MS60 rarely appear any auction, with our last MS61 offering occurring more than three years ago. The last PCGS-graded Mint State example we have handled is this very coin, nearly 10 years ago. This is a rare opportunity to obtain one of the finest-certified 1850-O double eagles that survive -- the finest of only two certified in all Mint State grades combined at PCGS! This coin represents a remarkable distinction for any stellar double eagle or branch mint gold collection. CAC endorsement confirms high quality for the grade. PCGS Population: 1 in 61, 0 finer. CAC: 1 in 61, 0 finer (1/25).
Ex: Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 6/2014), lot 4890. (Registry values: N7079)
From The Mississippi Collection of Double Eagles, Part II.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 268G, PCGS# 8903, Greysheet# 9843)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 33.44 grams
AGW: 1.06oz
Mintage: 141,000

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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