SOLD- $5.00 – 1856-O PCGS AU53
SOLD- $5.00 – 1856-O PCGS AU53
Serial Number 8269.53/30397484
PCGS Lookup Number 8269
Variety 1.
The 1856-O is tied with the 1855-O as the third scarcest New Orleans half eagle after the 1847-O and 1842-O. There are fewer than 100 known with most in the VF-EF range. An AU50 to AU53 example is rare and a higher AU grade is very rare. Only five or so are known in Uncirculated and none grade higher than MS62.
This fresh-to-the-market example was recently graded by PCGS and it is the first 1856-O half eagle I have offered for sale in close to a year. It is well struck and lustrous with light green-gold color and clean, choice surfaces. Some deeper color can be seen at the obverse border; the reverse is choice and wholesome.
No PCGS AU53 example of this date has been sold at auction since October 2009 (where it sold for $4,744) and only three AU53′s in total have reached the auction block since 1998.
The genuinely scarce half eagles from New Orleans are in strong demand and seldom are offered for sale.
