The 1851-O is, along with the 1852-O, the most common date(s) in the New Orleans double eagle series. Both dates are reasonably obtainable in AU53 to AU55 but are almost never seen with natural color and surfaces. In my opinion, the best value grade for both of these issues is AU53, given the high prices levels of AU55′s and AU58′s.

This fresh-to-the-market example has never appeared for sale and it has been off the radar since at least the 1940′s when it was put away by a southern banker. It has completely unmolested surfaces with deep, rich orange-gold hues but without the darker highlights seen on coins of this sort which have come from Europe. The underlying surfaces are clean and lustrous while the strike is sharp with all of the obverse stars displaying full radial lines. I have seen inferior pieces in AU55 holders and the eye appeal of this coin is very high for the date and grade.

The last PCGS AU53 1851-O double eagle with CAC approval to sell at auction was Heritage 8/13: 5173 which realized $9,400.

With schlocky AU53 examples of this date routinely selling for $7,500-8,000, I feel that the 20% premium I am asking for a truly choice piece makes this the perfect 1851-O double eagle for the collector who would like to own a single choice Type One issue from this mint.

CAC has approved seven in this grade with 16 finer.