The 1857-O lays strong claims as the third rarest No Motto eagle from the New Orleans mint after the 1859-O and the 1841-O. Only 5,500 were struck and well under 100 are known today, mostly in the EF40-AU50 grade range. This date is very scarce in properly graded AU53 to AU55 and truly rare in AU58. No Uncirculated example has ever been graded by PCGS or NGC.

This bright, lustrous example has a glowing yellow-gold appearance. The surfaces are slightly abraded as is common for the issue but the visible marks are less deep or detracting than usual for the issue. I recently handled another PCGS AU53 which had a more original appearance and it sold quickly with multiple enquiries.

Only two PCGS AU53 1857-O eagles have sold at auction since early 1998 and the last of these, ex Heritage 2011 ANA: 5641, brought $5,463 in a market which was less appreciative of rare date Liberty Head eagles.

For most collectors, this is going to be just about the best example of this rare issue which they will have a shot at buying.