The 1879-O double eagle is a numismatically significant coin as it is the one and only Type Three issue from this mint. Of the 2,325 struck, around 100 are known with most grading EF40 to AU50. Properly graded AU53 to AU55 examples are extremely scarce and in strong demand from a variety of collectors.

This fresh-to-the-market coin is the nicest 1879-O double eagle I have handled in nearly three years. It has natural medium orange-gold color with some russet splashes on the obverse. I think this coin has the appearance and body of an AU55 but it has been net graded down to an AU53 due to a shallow mint-made trough on the cheek; the reverse grades at least AU55+ if not AU58. For the date, the level of eye appeal is very high and this is one of just a handful known which haven’t been scrubbed.

The last AU53 to sell at auction was a low-end NGC coin which realized $55,813 as Heritage 54/14: 5836. Only three PCGS AU53′s have sold at auction since 2006 and the last one realized $48,875 as Heritage 3/12: 4286.

The 1879-O double eagle is in huge demand and properly graded AU53 to AU55 pieces are seldom offered for sale. This is a wonderful opportunity for a savvy New Orleans specialist or a Type Three double eagle collector.