1854-O $3 MS(PCGS#7971)

1854-O $3 MS (PCGS#7971)

Spring 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Lot Description: Even golden-wheat color over both sides, the surfaces reveal faint traces of frosty luster as the coin dips into a light. Wispy marks pepper both sides, and curious glossiness to the texture is also noted for accuracy. Alone among New Orleans Mint issues in the three-dollar gold series, the 1854-O was produced to the extent of 24,000 pieces. This is a generous total for the type, but attrition through circulation was high and of the 1,000 or so coins believed extant most grade EF or lower. This NGC-certified AU is particularly given the extreme rarity of true Mint State survivors. Only a single die variety is known for this issue, but survivors come in two die states. Late die state examples, as here, are characterized by extensive lapping of the reverse die that has attenuated, among other features, the right ribbon end and both ribbon loops.