RARE PCGS AU55 1855-O HALF EAGLE

Just 11,000 half eagles dated 1855-O were struck and this issue is similar in overall and high grade rarity to the 1856-O and 1857-O. All three of these dates are almost never seen in grades higher than AU55 and even less often with good eye appeal and non-stripped surfaces.

This rich orange-gold example has plenty of remaining mint luster and it is very well impressed with good overall detail at the centers and borders. The surfaces are a bit "ticky" as on virtually every known example; this date was handled roughly and it tends to be more abraded than many other No Motto issues of this era.

Only one PCGS AU55 1855-O half eagle has sold at auction since 2009 and it brought a very strong $7,475 as Heritage 2/12: 4782. Since 1999, a grand total of three PCGS AU55 1855-O half eagles have crossed the block, attesting to the scarcity of this issue in higher grades.

The 1855-O half eagle is in strong demand as most specialized collections are lacking a nice example of this date.

FROM THE ESSEX COLLECTION