1879-O Eagle (1879-O $10) NGC AU55. The New Orleans opened in 1879 after an 18 year hiatus (it was closed during the first year of the American Civil War, when the Confederate Army had taken New Orleans). Production during the first year was small, especially the gold coinage, with a mere 1,500 eagles produced for circulation. As can be guessed from this number, examples are scarce in all grades, and this issue becomes rare to virtually non-existent in the higher circulated grades, with only one piece graded in uncirculated condition by any of the major grading companies.

Not only is this issue the first in an 18 year history produced at the New Orleans Mint, it also is the first struck at that Mint of the no-motto type. It had been introduced in the mid 1860s, when the New Orleans Mint remained to be closed for more than a decade to come. It is the first of a very interesting set of sixteen coins, ending in 1906, which are usually available in lower grades. Building a set in about uncirculated or higher condition remains difficult, however, as many issues, such as the present are hard to obtain in higher circulated grades.

This piece, while showing some marks from handling and circulation has original surfaces, unlike the pieces of this date we usually see. Some scattered marks on the obverse are present, as usual, but none are overly distracting or worth to be individually mentioned. The reverse has fewer marks, and it appears to be of higher quality than the obverse. The coin has not been dipped, and shows its original skin and orange-red toning. The strike appears to be sharper than usual, with perhaps only some minor weakness noted on the obverse stars. In all, this is an excellent representative of this issue, certified by NGC in a new holder

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