1857-O $5.00 NGC AU55

There were no less than five different mints striking half eagles in 1857 and the New Orleans version is actually the rarest of these. The 1857-O is an interesrting issue both because of its overall scarcity and its numismatic significance as it is the last of the limited No Motto production from this mint (half eagles didn't resume at New Orleans until 1892). The 1857-O is a very scarce coin in the higher AU grades and it is extremely rare in Uncirculated with just three known to me. This example is semi-prooflike with nice flashes of original luster below medium lime-gold color. There is a short scratch on the obverse beow stars five and six and a small scrape on the reverse underneath the second T in STATES. Auction records show that this date become available in the AU55 to AU58 grade range at a pace of around once or twice every few years, making this an important and attractive piece for the specialist.