1855-O Liberty Head Eagle. Winter-1, the only known dies. AU-50 (PCGS). CAC.
Beautiful honey-gold in color, with rich orange-apricot overtones also very much in evidence. Soft, frosty mint luster remains virtually intact over surfaces that are free of all but trivial signs of handling. Well struck with most features sharply to fully rendered. One of the leading rarities among New Orleans Mint eagles, the 1855-O has a low mintage of just 18,000 coins struck. Survivors are similar in rarity to those of the 1856-O and 1857-O issues and typically grade no finer than EF. Recent shipwreck finds have not significantly increased the supply of high grade examples, only seven or eight 1855-O eagles were included among the treasure of the S.S. Republic. The offered coin from the Fairmont Collection is most definitely not a shipwreck find, boasting as it does unquestionable originality. With Mint State coins all but unknown, this impressive AU-50 would serve as a highlight in an advanced gold cabinet.
PCGS# 8617. NGC ID: 263M.
PCGS Population: 17; 24 finer, two of which are Mint State (both MS-61). CAC Stickered Population: 15 in all grades (AU-55 highest graded).
From the Fairmont Collection - Rhone Set.

Estimate: $6000