1853/2 $10.00 NGC AU55

The 1853/2 is one of only two legitimate overdates in the Liberty Head series along with the 1839/8 Head of 1838. It is not really as rare as once claimed in lower grades but it is scarce in properly graded AU55 to AU58 and extremely rare in full Mint State (I have only seen two and none better than MS61). When available in the middle AU grades, this issue tends to be processed and unattractive. The present example is one of the few 1853/2 eagles I have seen with nice color. The peripheries on both the obverse and reverse have acquired a fiery reddish-gold hue that nicely contrasts the natural lighter rose-gold centers. There is a good deal of luster present and the abrasions that are present are commensurate with the grade. A few small obverse rim marks at 9:00 to 10:00 do not detract.

1850 Large Date $10.00 NGC AU58

There are two distinct varieties of 1850 eagle: the Small Date (the rarer of the two) and the Large Date. The date size on the 1850 Large Date is not as mis-spaced as it is on the 1854-O Large Date eagle but it is easy to recognize, especially in comparison to the Small Date 1850 eagle. The 1850 Large Date is underrated in higher grades and it is actually quite scarce in the lower Mint State grades and very rare in MS62 and above. This very frosty slider shows characteristic light green-gold color with choice surfaces and great detail. There are a few small grease stains near star ten on the obverse that are mint-made. Philadelphia No Motto eagles in AU grades offer the collector with sophisticated taste but a limited bidget the opportunity to purchase very interesting coins that contain a half ounce of gold for very affordable sums.

1852-O $10.00 NGC AU53

The 1852-O is one of the harder New Orleans eagles from this decade to find in higher grades. When available, it tends to come in the EF40 to AU50 range and is characterized by processed surfaces that are replete with dense abrasions. The present example is one of the nicer 1852-O eagles that I have seen in some time and it is a coin that, in my opinion, could easily have graded AU55 on the "right day." The strike is far above average for the issue with very good detail seen at the centers; the surfaces are very lustrous and quite clean with light green-gold hues. This date is nearly impossible to find choicer than this and I think it is a very good value given its scarcity in all AU grades.

1860-O $10.00 NGC AU55

This is the final New Orleans eagle of the No Motto type and the denomination would remain unproduced at this mint until it was resumed in 1879. I regard the 1860-O as an overlooked scarcity. Only 11,100 were made and of the few hundred that survive, most are in the EF40 to AU50 range. The 1860-O eagle is rare in properly graded AU55 to AU58 and extremely rare in Uncirculated. This example is more original and more lustrous than just about any 1860-O that I have seen in the last few years. It is slightly prooflike with pale orange-gold color that deepens a bit at the obverse border and on the shield. There are a few scattered marks but none are serious or detracting. Only one AU55 has appeared at auction since the summer of 2009; Heritage 1/11: 22442 (encapsulated by NGC) sold for $5,175. The present example is considerably nicer in my opinion and it would make a great addition to an advanced set of Liberty Head eagles.

1882-O $10.00 NGC AU53

This attractive, fresh example shows deep "Euro" coloration with rich green-gold fields contrasted by darker highlights on the relief areas. As is typical for the date, the surfaces show a number of abrasions; on this coin, the majority are on the obverse and they are reasonably well hidden by the depth of the coloration. Only a few hundred examples of this date exist from the original mintage of just 10,820. I have long regarded the 1882-O as an undervalued issue within the New Orleans eagle series.

1856-S $10.00 PCGS AU50

Medium S mintmark. A fresh European example recently graded by PCGS in their Paris office and notable for strong luster, light even wear and nominally abraded surfaces. Not really a rare coin in this grade but a pleasing, wholesome piece which is desirable as an affordable early SF mint eagle.

1848-O $10.00 PCGS AU50

The 1848-O is tied with the 1850-O and the 1854-O Small Date as the eleventh rarest of twenty one No Motto eagles from this mint. I estimate that there are a few hundred examples known but from personal experience, I do not see this date very often in the AU50 to AU55 range; the "sweet spot" for many collectors of this series. The present example is very lustrous with light orange-gold and rose color atop surfaces that, as usual, show a number of scuff marks from handling. The strike has some weakness at the center, especially on the reverse. Overall, a very presentable example of a date that has just a few dozen known in this grade range.

1853-O $10.00 PCGS AU55

While very common in lower grades, the 1853-O eagle is much scarcer than generally realized in AU55, rare in AU58 and exceedingly rare in Uncirculated with just three or four currently known. This example, which is fresh from Europe and has the three-pronged gasket within the slab that is indicative of a coin graded in PCGS' Paris office, has lovely deep green-gold and rose-orange color with some dirt within the protected areas. A considerable amount of luster remains and the fields show fewer marks than usual for the date. The last comparable to sell at auction was Heritage 1/11: 7030, graded AU55 by PCGS, that realized $2,530. This example is nicer and it is exceptional value at under $3,000.

1854-S $10.00 NGC AU55

As a rule, I like coins with real historic significance and the 1854-S eagle certainly falls into this category as it is the very first Liberty Head eagle struck at the San Francisco mint. Unlike the exceedingly rare quarter eagle and half eagle dated 1854-S, the eagle is a relatively obtainable issue although it is uncommon in AU55, rare in AU58 and extremely rare in Uncirculated. This example is clean for the issue with just a few small marks noted on the obverse. The light gold surfaces retain a bit of luster and the strike is very sharp for the issue.