1857-O Double Eagle (1857-O $20) NGC AU50. Certified by NGC in a new holder, this coin boasts with originality. With a mintage of 30,000 pieces, a sharp increase over the previous years but still low, examples are not easily found. The majority shows heavy signs of circulation, and are either damaged, cleaned or both.

In his reference on New Orleans gold coinage, Douglas Winter notes that this issue is extremely scarce with attractive natural color, which is a medium to deep-green gold. In fact, the majority of pieces, in any grade do not display green-gold color at all after being severely dipped. As a result, pieces which show the originality of the present piece are extremely rare and seldom encountered.

That said, another feature usually encountered with this issue is below average eye-appeal. Most are heavily bagmarked, further weakening the already weakly struck devices. The present piece, which is not uncirculated but still shows some luster in the protected areas is of exceptional eye-appeal for this issue. Undipped, the natural gold-green coloration shows on the only moderately bagmarked fields. Sharply struck, with a good amount of hair detail showing on the obverse. The present offering represents a premium quality and completely original example of this scarce issue.