1851-O Eagle (1851-O $10) NGC AU58. Mint luster glistens from within the devices of both sides of this 1851-O Eagle coin. A few surface abrasions and light wear on the highest points keep it from a mint state grade. Unlike on typical coins for this date, the strike is sharp and full on both sides. There is a hollow ring on top of the second stripe on the shield. It could have been from a center punch used on the reverse hub because it is seen on some later O mints as well.

Gold eagles have been minted from 1795 to 1933. However in the 1850’s mintages dropped because half eagles were preferred for ordinary transactions and double eagles were more suitable for large interbank and international transactions. After specie payment was suspended in 1861, little gold reached the mints to be converted into coin.

After the Civil War the New Orleans Mint was returned to Federal hands. It was the only Southern branch mint to resume coinage which lasted until 1909. From then until 1931, the New Orleans Mint building was used as an assay office. It was then converted to a prison for Prohibition violators. In 1934 the prison was closed, and the Coast Guard took possession of the building. In 1979 it was transferred to Louisiana to be used as a museum.