LIBERTY
HEAD (NO MOTTO ON REVERSE) TWENTY DOLLARS OR DOUBLE EAGLE
(1849-1866)
1858-O Double Eagle
1858-O
Double Eagle or 1858 New Orleans Mint Double Eagle
PCGS
No:
8924
Circulation
strikes Mintage:
32,250
Proofs:
Unknown
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, LA) below the eagle's tail on
the reverse.
Introduction:
The 1858-O double eagle is of similar rarity to the
1857-O issue. Both are usually seen in low-grade condition.
Examples that grade Very Fine or Extremely Fine are
the best that can be readily obtained. However, it
should be remembered that the 1858-O date is scarce
in any condition, with fewer than 200 examples remaining
of the 35,250 coins struck. The two finest survivors
are the PCGS MS-62 coin from the Harry W. Bass Jr.
Collection and the MS-63 specimen that was listed
as being a part of the S.S. Republic find. Both were
partially prooflike, which is normal for high-grade
examples of the date. The finest example from the
S.S. Republic sold privately in 2004 for $135,000. Key to Collecting: The 1858-O is
a rarity, and fewer than 150 are believed to exist
in all grades. However, examples are available for
reasonable prices. Aspects of Striking: Sometimes weak
at the stars on the left side of the ohverse. High
grade coins usually show prooflike surface, especially
on the reverse, this being usual for double eagles
of the New Orleans Mint. Die Data: Standard four-digit logotype
punch for this year (see description under 1858 Philadelphia
Mint). Blundered Die, a.k.a. Misplaced Date (MPD):
The obverse die has a stray 8 from the lowest hair
curl to the field, a misplaced date logotype punch
impression (Breen-7192, "Blundered die.").
Number of Appearances:
71 (16%)
High Grade Condition Points: 20
Average Grade: VF-36
Auction Records: (5) Unc: Stack's 6/77; New England
11/75; AAA 6/75; WGC 1946; Bell 1944
(10) AU:
Stack's 9/81; Paramount 11/79; Ivy 11/78; ANA 1976;
Pine Tree 6/75; RARCOA4/75;Scanlon 1973; ANA 1971;
Kreisberg/Cohen 11/70; Atwater 1946
(31) EF: Stack's 12/81, 3/81; Auction
'79; Stack's 6/79, 2/79; Pine Tree 1/78; New England
3/77; RARCOA 4-5/76; Stack's 4/30/75; Superior 10/74;
ANA 1974; PineTree3/74; Kreisberg/Cohen 11/72, 9/71;
ANA 1971; Stack's4/7I, 6/70, 1/70,3/69, 1/69; Miles
1968; Shuford 1968; Stack's 5/68, 4/67, 10 66; Paramount
2/65; Wolfson 1962; Holmes 1960; Baldenhofer 1955;
MC 1948; Roach 1944
(25) VF: Superior 6/81; Auction '80;
Numisco 2/80; Stack's 6/79; Superior 6/78; Stack's
4/76; New England 11/75; Gilhousen 1973; Superior
3/71; Alto 1970; Kreisberg/Cohen 11/70; Paramount
11/67, 4/67, 2/67, 10,66, 5/66, 3,66; Kosoff 10/65;
Bell 1963; Golden 1962; Cicero 1960; Melish 1956;
Farouk 1954; Menjou 1950; Lee 1947
Comments: The 1858-O Double Eagle is rare in any condition
and prohibitively rare in mint state. I have seen
only two uncs (both 60's) and a small number of AU's.
The overwhelming majority of known specimens grade
VF or EF and the typical 1858-O has a semi-prooflike
or prooflike surface. As a date, the 1858-O ranks
right in the middle of the O-Mint issues (7th out
of 13), just slightly more rare than the 1857-O and
1861-O.
1858
HISTORICAL HIGHTLIGHTS
Washington, D.C.,
Apr. 6. President Buehanan. in demanding
thai Mormons obey federal law. accuses ihem of "levying
war againsl the United Stales" (—June 26). Rosalia, Washington, May 17. U.S.
soldiers suffer a humiliating dcfeal by Nez Perce
and Spokan Indians. Titusville, Pennsylvania, May. Colonel
H.L. Drake begins drilling for oil. using technique
of drivine iron pipe into well (-Aug. 28. 1859). Memphis, Tennessee, June 13. Steamship
Pennsylvania explodes on Mississippi River. killing
160 people. Springfield, Illinois, June 16. Republican
Abraham Lincoln, upon receiving Senate nomina¬tion,
proclaims. "A house divided against itself cannot
stand" (—Oct. 15). Utah Territory. June 26. Colonel
Johnslon's federal Iroops march into Salt Lake City,
finding it mostly empty as Mormons move south. New York City, July 20. Admission
charged to baseball game for first time; New York
All-Slars defeat Brooklyn. Kansas Territory Aug. 2. State constitution
rejected in popular vole. 11.812 to 1.926: Kansas
fails to gain admission to union (-Jan. 29. 1861). Massachusetts, Oct. 16. Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow publishes The Courtship of Miles Siamlish.
narrative poem about romance among Pilgrims. New York City. In his popular The
I'nwi'lfotm'ti Child' or the Crime of an Undesigned
and l!ndesired Maternity. H.C. Wright openly examines
birth control. Washington, D.C. Lewis Mill issued
patent for a lawn mowing machine. Washington, D.C. Charles Weslcy March
receives patent lor bundling harvester. New York City. Steel pens are placed
on the market. New York City. Ladies Christian Association
[YWCA] founded. Haddonfield, New Jersey. First dinosaur
skeleton excavated in L'nited Stales. Brooklyn, New York. Edward R. Squibb
founds pharmaceutical company.
