SOLD – $5.00 – 1851-O PCGS AU53
SOLD – $5.00 – 1851-O PCGS AU53
Serial Number 8249.53/27733424
PCGS Lookup Number 8249
Of the 41,000 half eagles produced at the New Orleans mint in 1851, it is likely that only 125-150 are known with the great majority in the VF-EF range. A few dozen exist in AU with nearly all in the AU50-53 range and properly graded AU55 and higher examples are rare.
This is a freshly-graded example with enough luster and body to give it consideration as an AU55. It shows typical light green-gold color and has the usual strike for the date with weakness at the centers. The surfaces show some scattered scuffs with the most noticeable being a vertical scuff that runs up the spine of the E in STATES down into the field.
The last PCGS graded AU53 example of this date to sell at auction was Heritage 1/03: 8593 which brought $3,565 over a decade ago. Heritage 6/13: 5711, graded AU50 by NGC, sold for $3,055.
If you collect New Orleans half eagles you no doubt are aware of the scarcity of nice 1851-O half eagles.
