1857-O Double Eagle NGC AU50. A boldly struck and about uncirculated double eagle from the New Orleans Mint. Mintages of double eagles increased in 1857 after tiny production in the previous three years. A total of 30,000 double eagles were struck in this year, of which approximately 175 to 200 survive in all grades. Q. David Bowers estimates the number to be even lower, near 150 pieces in all grades. His short comment on this issue is “exceedingly rare [in] Mint State, very elusive in all grades”.

The 1857-O double eagle is one of many coins struck at the New Orleans Mint that is known for usually being weakly struck. Although this coin does not show full details, due to it being in circulation for a short period, the strong dentils are an indication of an above average strike. Although the mintmark is impressed weakly, that is also a result of the circulation and the mintmark does still show. All stars on the obverse show full radiant lines, another indication of the strong strike.

In about uncirculated, gold expert Douglas Winter estimates that a total of 50 to 60 coins are still known in that grade. In uncirculated, this is a major rarity with a handful known, and graded by the grading companies. Most of these uncirculated coins came from the S.S. Republic, and show signs of being in salty sea water for more than 140 years. This coin still shows some of the medium green-gold color that is the natural coloration of these double eagles of the period.

This coin, certified by NGC in a new holder, still shows some signs of the prooflike fields that all high grade examples of this issue possess. Lustrous and below average marked surfaces make this a premium quality coin. The present offering represents a rare opportunity to acquire this double eagle in a seldom encountered grade.