LIBERTY
HEAD (NO MOTTO ON REVERSE) TWENTY DOLLARS OR DOUBLE EAGLE
(1849-1866)
1851-O Double Eagle
1851-O
Double Eagle
PCGS
No:
8905
Circulation
strikes Mintage:
315,000
Proofs:
none
Designer:
James Barton
Longacre
Diameter:
±34
millimeters
Metal
content:
Gold - 90%
Other - 10%
Weight:
±516
grains (±33.4 grams)
Edge:
Reeded
Mintmark:
"O"
(for New Orleans, Louisiana) below the eagle's tail
on the reverse
Introduction:
The 1851-O double eagle was struck in ample numbers,
and today the date is readily avail¬able in circulated
grades. A surprising number of examples are offered
each year at auction. This is the result of popularity
and availability. The issue was widely distributed and
heavily circulated, and most of the survivors grade
Very Fine or Extremely Fine. The date is scarce in About
Uncirculated and very rare in full Mint State. Several
examples of the 185 l-O dou¬ble eagle were found
on the wrecks of the S.S. Central America and the S.S.
Republic. None were of Mint State quality. There are
just 15 to 20 coins that would qualify as Mint State
by today's standards. An MS-63 com was sold privately
in April 2002 for $56,000. Key to Collecting: The 185 l-O is scarce
in comparison to its Philadelphia Mint cousin of this
year, but enough nice VF, EF, and occasional AU coins
are around that finding one will not be a problem. Collecting
a set of Type 1 Liberty Head double eagles is a pleasant
pursuit, and varieties such as the 1851-O, are enjoyable
to own ami contemplate. Aspects of Striking: Striking varies
depending upon the die combination and press run; no
single rule fits all. Often lightly struck, particularly
the obverse stars and on the hair on the lower part
of the portrait. Die Data: Standard four-digit logotype
punch for this year (see description under 1851 Philadelphia
Mint). 9 pairs of dies were shipped from Philadelphia
to New Orleans.
Auction Appearances
and Collateral Evidence: Charles W.Sloane and Frank Lenz Collections
(Thomas L. Elder, January 1936) Lot 2602: "1852
From the Baltimore Find. Brilliant Mint State. A gem
of first class. Uncirculated." Realized $56. Elder
handled quite a few "Baltimore Find" coins
during this era—coins which had been located in
die cellar of a vacant house by two boys. The matter
regarding tide went to court, the coins were sold at
auction, and the boys were well rewarded. In recent
times our fine friend Len Augsburger has published extensive
information on this remarkable cache, Dr. Jasper L. Robertson
Collection (Mid-American, May 1985) Lot 1629:
"1852 Gem Uncirculated (65/65). A sensational example
of this date. Bodi sides exhibit full mint bloom, and
are layered by rich, coppery-golden toning. Boldly struck,
with sur¬faces that are nearly devoid of marks (rarely
seen on coins of this denomination), Type One double
eagles are among the rarest of all United States Type
coins in Gem condition. Even average Uncirculated example
are seldom seen. The present coin is one of our personal
favorites from the Dr. jasper L. Robertson collection,
and it is certainly one of the condition highlights
of this sale." Realized 520,000. Gold Rush Treasure from the S.S. Central America
(Christie's, catalogued by QDB, December 2000) Lot 81:
"1852 AU-S8 (PGCS).... Date logotype nicely impressed,
somewhat low, top of 1 twice the distance from truncation
as bottom is from den¬tils, left edge of lower serif
over space between dentils. A faint reverse die crack
connects the tops of F AM ERIC." Realized $3,350.
Another: Lot 82: "1852 AU-58 (PCGS).... Date logotype
bghtly impressed, centrally located between truncation
and dentils but slightly left, left edge of lower serif
over center of dentil. Raised horizontal die lines connect
die fifth star to the den¬tils above. Crossbar of
A in STATES broken at center, the leftmost piece very
faint. Three die cracks are noted. The first runs from
the dentils above M, connecting AMERICA at the tops.
The second crack arcs from the dentils below Y in TWENTY
to the bottom of the D in the denomination, then back
to the dentils below the period that follows. The diird
crack connects the bottom of TWENTY." Realized
$5,750.
Number of Appearances:
197 (44%)
Auction Records:
(8) Unc: Auction '81; ANA 1976 (2);
ANA 1971; Merkin 10/69; Miles 1968; Baldenhofer 1955;
Bell 1944
(32) AU:
Stack's 9/81, 3/81; Auction '80; Kagin's 2/80; New
England 11/79; Paramount 11/79; ANA 1979; Auction'79;
B&R 2/79; Kagin's 1/79; Superior 1/79; ANA 1978;
Stack's 5/78; New England 11/77; Stack's 2, 77; Paramount
2/76; ANA 1975; Pine Tree 6/75 (2); Superior 10/74;
Paramount 2/74; Superior 2/74; Stack's 4 71; ANA 1969;
Kreisberg/Cohen 6, 69; Stack's 3/69; Merkin 9/67;
ANA 1966; Bell 1963; Holmes 1960; MC 1948; Atwater
1946.
(77) EF:
Stack's 12/81 (2), 6/81, 1/81, 12/80, 10/80, 3/80;
Superior 1/80; Hughes 10/79; Auction 79; Stack's 6/79;
B&R 4 79; Stack's 2/79; New England 11/78; Kreisberg/Cohen
10/78; Kagin's 5/78; RARCOA 1/78; Paramount 11/77;
Ivy 10/77; ANA 1977; Ivy 7/77; New England 7/77; Paramount
7/77 (2); Stack's 6/77; Paramount 4;77; New England
3/77; Paramount 2/77; New England 12/76; AAA 5/76;
Paramount 5/76; Stack's4/76; Paramount 2/76; AAA 12/75;
Paramount 11/75; AAA9/75; Paramount 5/75; Stack's4/30/75;
RARCOA 4/75; Davies/Niewoehner 1975; Beck 1975; AAA
11 74; Superior 10/74; ANA 1974 (2); Stack's 3:74;
Pine Tree 3/74; Scanlon 1973; Stack's 2/73; Paramount
2/73; Gilhousen 1973; ANA 1972; Merkin 6/72, 2/72;
Comments: No O-Mint Double Eagle can reasonably be
called "common" but the 1851-O is certainly
the most often available of the 13 issues from this
Mint. The majority of known pieces grade VF or EF
but it is not especially unusual to locate a very
nice AU. However, in full mint state the story changes
dramatically and a true Unc. 185 l-O is certainly
rare. Choice or gem uncs are extreme¬ly rare and
probably no more than a handful of such pieces exist.
Virtually all known examples of this date are semi-prooflike
or prooflike.
