1879-O $20

Description

Rare and Very Popular 1879-O Double Eagle, A Nice PCGS AU 53 Example

1879-O $20 AU 53 PCGS. A nice, strong strike, as often seen; on this piece, the borders are sharper than usual with full denticles on the obverse and reverse. Nearly full mint luster is visible beneath even, medium orange-gold color. There are a few light, old hairlines and a stray abrasion here or there, but the overall quality of the surfaces is far above average for the issue. Also, there are none of the severe spots or mint-made planchet faults that are commonly seen on 1879-O double eagles. We have not sold an 1879-O at auction since the PCGS AU 55 that brought $16,100 in our 1999 ANA Sale. This example is, in many ways, a nicer piece and we would not be surprised if it were among the most actively contested coins in this memorable collection of double eagles.
Its tiny mintage figure of 2,325 coins and its status as the only Type Three New Orleans double eagle make the 1879-O an especially popular issue. There are around 75-85 pieces known but many of these are in low grades and the majority of the choice, higher grade examples are in tightly-held collections. This date currently appears on more want lists than almost any other Liberty Head double eagle and we know of only two AU 50 or better coins that have been available in the last two and a half years.
From the David & Jeannie Cheung Collection.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 26B8, PCGS# 8990, GSID# 9931)

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Weight: 33.44 grams
AGW: 0.9675oz
Mintage: 2,325

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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