This choice, original example has remarkably clean surfaces for the date and grade. Both sides are nearly free of marks and show lovely green-gold and orange hues atop satiny surfaces. With the exception of some weakness on the radial lines of the obverse stars, the details are bold including well-defined strands of hair and feathers.

I purchased this coin at the recent Dallas ANA show from a collector who resides in the New Orleans area and it has an interesting back story. It had come from the holdings of an old New Orleans family where it had resided–in a shoe box–for many decades. It was recently sent to NGC to be graded and it is being offered for the very first time.

There are two APR’s in 2012 for this date in AU53 (both are NGC coins). One is $6,900 while the other is $7,475. I saw both coins and can say with complete certainty that the present example is by far a nicer piece.

If you have been searching for a single outstanding New Orleans double eagle for your collection, you would have a hard time finding an example that was nicer and more appealing than this 1851-O.

on hold