Variety 2.

The 1855-O is numismatically significant as the only Type Two gold dollar struck at the New Orleans mint. It is not scarce in the lower AU grades but properly graded AU58′s are hard to find, especially with natural color and choice surfaces. This date jumps considerably in price in MS61 and MS62, making a choice slider the best value grade for most collectors.

This is quite possibly the single nicest AU58 1855-O gold dollar I have ever offered and it has far more eye appeal than most seen in MS60 and MS61 holders. It is well impressed and very lustrous with pleasing rich orange-gold color on the obverse; the reverse shades more towards reddish-gold and orange and is very choice. There is no readily apparent wear, the luster is nearly full and the surfaces are very clean. This is an exceptional coin for the date and grade.

Only two PCGS AU58 examples have sold at auction in the last five years and this coin is clearly the better of the two.

CAC has approved 23 in this grade with nine finer; this seems inflated by resubmissions.

Ex Heritage 7/2012 sale, Lot 4401, where it realized $7,638.