1853-O $20 MS(PCGS#8910)

1853-O $20 MS (PCGS#8910)

The August 2010 Boston Rarities Sale

Lot Description: 1853-O Liberty Double Eagle. Winter Variety One, the only known dies. AU-58 (PCGS). The rarest of the early date Double Eagle issues from the New Orleans Mint, the 1853-O has a much lower mintage than the 1850-O, 1851-O and 1852-O. Only 71,000 pieces were produced, and the vast majority of survivors are confined to the VF-EF grade range. This issue is very scarce in AU, rare in Choice AU and extremely rare in Mint State.<br />     The lightest friction and light scuffiness to the surfaces is all that seems to separate this coin from a Mint State grade. More direct angles allow ready appreciation of a semi-to-fully prooflike finish that shines forth nicely from richly patinated, honey-orange surfaces. Sharply defined from a well-executed strike, with no abrasions of note apart from a thin vertical graze to Liberty's cheek and neck. A low-pop condition rarity that ranks among the finest '53-O Twenties known to PCGS.