The 1844-O is the most common No Motto half eagle from this mint. It is very easy to find in all circulated grades up to AU55 but it is scarce in Uncirculated and rare in MS62 and above. The finest known is a PCGS MS65 which sold for $34,500 back in 1999 as Bass II: 937.

This is a beautiful, original example with very frosty luster below medium orange-gold color which changes to a greenish hue towards the borders. It is from an early state of the dies with no lapping on the obverse stars and the centers are nearly full defined. There is a thin scratch from the obverse rim at 3:00 into the field which is hard to see if the coin is not tilted and a small spot (in the planchet?) on the brow of Liberty. The eye appeal is extremely high for the grade.

The last PCGS MS62 example of this date to sell at auction was Bass IV: 391 which brought $5,060 back in November, 2000. An NGC MS63, sold as Heritage 2/13: 3956, recently brought $15,275 and it was just a bit better than the present example.

If you are a type collector who has been looking for a nice No Motto New Orleans half eagle for his set, this piece is perfect.