The 1857-O is numismatically significant as the final No Motto half eagle from New Orleans. It is rare in all grades with around 100 known and I rank it as tied for fourth in overall and high grade rarity in this popular 16 issue set.

Very few 1857-O half eagles are known with natural color and unadulterated surfaces and this choice piece is among the most aesthetically appealing of these. Both sides show deep green-gold color which is very pleasing. A shallow old scrape below OF on the reverse keeps this from a higher grade but I assure you, this would look just fine in an AU55 holder.

The only PCGS AU53 1857-O half eagle to sell at auction since 1999 was Stacks Bowers 3/17: 2397 which realized $4,290; it lacked CAC approval. The last PCGS AU55 to sell at auction brought $5,290 in June 2008.

This date is lacking in many specialized collections of New Orleans half eagles and this pleasing example represents excellent quality and value for the issue.

CAC has approved one in AU53 (including this 53+) with three finer.

FROM THE ESSEX COLLECTION