Lot 1216
1856-O $20 Liberty. PCGS graded EF-45. The 1856-O is the rarest New Orleans double eagle and the rarest gold coin struck at the New Orleans mint. The mintage was a mere 2,250 pieces. A mere 14 pieces are identified in the PCGS Population Report, add in a handful of impaired examples, and estimates of 30 to 40 survivors are thought to exist. Most are in the VF25 to EF40 range.In terms of number of specimens known it is more rare than the heralded 1870-CC (although it usually comes in higher grade than the 1870-CC) and is about the same rarity as the proof-only 1883. There is one very nice uncirculated piece known.
This is among the most historic and desirable gold coins ever made by the New Orleans Mint and is listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth. (PCGS Pop. 3 in XF-45, only 9 graded higher, the highest grade being two AU-58 examples, and a total of 14 in all grades, 11/13/11).
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000.
Realized: $240,000