VERY RARE AND VERY POPULAR 1879-O EAGLE

With a mintage of just 1,500 coins, the 1879-O is the second rarest With Motto eagle from New Orleans after the 1883-O. The 1879-O is numismatically significant as the first With Motto eagle from this mint and after years of neglect, this date has reached a price level commensurate with its rarity.

The typical 1879-O has impaired luster as a result of significant abrasions. This example is much cleaner than normal for the issue and its texture is more frosty than reflective. There is little in the way of actual wear and both sides of this visually appealing coin exhibit rich lime colors which shade to reddish-gold at the borders. A diagonal scrape on the neck of Liberty must be mentioned but the surfaces are far less abraded than most of five to six dozen known 1879-O eagles.

Only one PCGS AU58 1879-O eagle has sold at auction since April 2006 and it realized $49,938 as Legend 9/15: 261. That coin was approved by CAC but it was not much nicer than the current piece.

There are just two appreciably finer 1879-O eagles (both graded MS61) and the PCGS MS61 is a coin I sold a few years ago; it is likely off the market for many years.

Here is an important coin for the advanced collector of New Orleans eagles.