SOLD – $5.00 – 1857-O PCGS VF35 CAC
SOLD – $5.00 – 1857-O PCGS VF35 CAC
Serial Number 8274.35/26847693
PCGS Lookup Number 8274
The 1857-O is the final No Motto half eagle to be struck at the New Orleans mint; production would not resume until 1892. This is a scarce coin in all grades; even more so than its mintage of 13,000 would suggest. The typical 1857-O half eagle grades VF-EF and nearly all surivors are unattractive due to irregular strikes, heavy wear and repeated cleanings.
This very high end example has the detail and appearance of an EF40 coin. It shows nice natural russet-gold color with some reddish flashes in the protected areas. Some old ticks can be seen in the fields but this piece has surprisingly good overall eye appeal for the date and grade.
A virtually identical PCGS VF35 example sold as Heritage 9/08: 3708, where it realized $1,955. No others have been sold at auction since then.
A nice example of an issue whose true rarity is still not fully understood by most collectors.
CAC has approved just this one example in this grade; two finer 1857-O half eagles have been approved as well.
