1853-O LIBERTY HEAD GOLD EAGLE, NGC AU55, VARIETY 1 (1-A)

Description

1853-O Liberty Head Gold Eagle
NGC graded AU55
Rarity 19th of 20 Per Douglas Winter's "Gold Coins Of The New Orleans Mint"
Variety 1(1-A)
Obverse: The date is low, closer to the dentils than the Truncation. Winter does not mention the light re-punched date or die crack at the date which are evident in this coin. Further observations of variety 1(1-A) coins show that the re-punch and crack while not common are not unusual. However, I have also found mention of varieties 6, 7, and 8 at an auction site that do not show-up in Winter's latest book.
Reverse: No shield ring, the mint mark is high and centered between EN in TEN.
Winter also states, "The surfaces are nearly always very abraded with most showing deep, detracting marks in the fields... The natural coloration ranges from deep green-gold to rich orange-gold... This is a surprisingly difficult issue to locate with good eye appeal. The typical 1853-O eagle is well struck and shows remaining luster but is usually seen with numerous marks which limit the eye appeal. While this is a common date within this series, nice AU55 and better coins with good eye appeal are much scarcer than generally believed."
NGC/PCGS graded population 503
Mintage 51,000
Will ship via USPS Priority Mail Express, signature required.