After an extensive mintage in 1851, production of eagles in New Orleans declined considerably in 1852. Only 18,000 pieces were struck and the 1852-O eagle is scarce in all grades and quite rare approaching Uncirculated.

This choice, original piece has uncommonly good eye appeal for the date and grade. It has slightly prooflike surfaces below natural orange-gold and greenish hues. The strike is typical with some flatness seen at the radial lines on the stars but the centers are bold. A few scattered marks in the fields limit the grade but the only ones worth mentioning are a small group clustered in the left field near the portrait.

Not including this coin, only two AU53′s have sold at auction in the last three years. One sold for $4,025 in Heritage’s 9/11 auction while another brought $4,888 in Heritage’s 2/10 sale.

This is a much nicer than usual example of a date that I regard as being among the more undervalued No Motto eagles from this mint.

Ex Heritage 1/10: 4021 where it brought $4,313.

CAC has approved just two in this grade and one finer.