RARE NGC AU55 1859-0 $10.00

With a mintage of only 2,300 coins, the 1859-O is the scarcest No Motto eagle from New Orleans. In AU, there are an estimated 13-16 known as well as a single Uncirculated which grades MS62 at NGC and is owned by the Tyrant Collection.

I personally think this coin is overgraded and I like it better as a 53 or even as a 50. It has nice original russet color and the surfaces are free of significant marks. I generally wholesale ovegraded NGC coins but in this instance, we are looking at a rare, popular coin that has a lot of potential if sent to PCGS for a downgrade.

It should be stressed that many of the PCGS 1859-O eagles in AU53 and AU55 are no better than this coin, and at least 75% of the coins for this issue in straight grade EF and AU holders from both NGC and PCGS have been harshly cleaned and/or processed.

No NGC AU55 1859-O eagles have sold at auction since the Heritage 2022 FUN sale when a similarly overgraded piece sold for $38,400.

DWN collects sales tax when appropriate.