Mint State 1850-O Double Eagle to be Offered at Auction!

Dallas, Texas: The 1850-O Double Eagle, with a mintage of 141,000 pieces, was the first double eagle struck at the New Orleans Mint. This, and its status as the first-year regular-issue twenty dollar gold piece, places it in strong demand. Most examples are in the VF-XF grade range, where a little more than 200 pieces have been certified by NGC and PCGS. An additional 150 or so coins have been certified in the various AU grade levels.

"Mint State 1850-Os are downright rare," said Greg Rohan, President of Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "as the population reports indicate. NGC has, to date, graded a mere four Uncirculated pieces, and PCGS has seen none."

"The coin we offer in our upcoming auction is of the Closed 5 variety," Rohan said, "with the mintmark touching the tail. The design elements are generally well struck, save for softness in portions of Liberty's hair. A delightful yellow-gold color with subtle hints of light green enlivens the surfaces that retain considerable luster in the fields and recesses of the motifs. Several light abrasions are scattered over each side, none of which individually distract."

"All in all, this coin generates nice eye appeal for the grade," Rohan continued. "This conditionally rare double eagle is certain to draw considerable attention from connoisseurs of American gold coinage. As such, we expect it to generate spirited bidding."

Heritage Auction Galleries will offer the 1850-O $20 MS60 NGC. in their upcoming Signature Auction, to be held July 17-20, 2006 in Dallas, Texas.

Images, descriptions, and prices realized from all of Heritage's previous auctions are available in the Permanent Auction Archives at the Heritage website, www.HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.