Blogs

Enigmatic New Orleans Double Eagle Rarity Featured in our February 2025 Showcase Auction

In the Rarities Night session of our first ever February Showcase Auction, we are pleased to feature the legendary 1879-O double eagle in remarkable Mint State preservation. This is a key date issue that is elusive even in circulated grade. Both sides are sharply struck with full detail throughout the design. Warm, even color in orange-olive blankets surfaces that are lustrous and frosty. Displaying only wispy handling marks, the in-hand appearance is exceptionally smooth for the assigned grade, and the eye appeal is outstanding.

Alone among New Orleans Mint double eagles of the Type III Liberty Head design type, the 1879-O was produced upon the reopening of the New Orleans Mint after its forced closure at the onset of the Civil War. The mintage was just 2,325 pieces of which just three are graded finer between PCGS and NGC. Many examples were exported alongside other double eagles of the era as part of international transactions.

Fewer than 150 coins are extant, generally in EF or AU, and mostly thanks to repatriations from foreign bank hoards in recent decades. With such a limited number of examples known, the 1879-O is a leading rarity in the Southern gold series. The present coin provides an incredible opportunity to acquire this rarity in Mint State condition, and it is sure to find its way into an advanced cabinet.

For more information about the Stack’s Bowers Galleries February 2025 Showcase auction visit StacksBowers.com. To consign your coins or paper money to one of our future sales call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].

Join our mailing list

Don't miss an auction!

Subscribe to our newsletter.

 

Contact Us

West Coast Office • (800) 458-4646

Midwest Office • (800) 817-2646

East Coast Office • (800) 566-2580

[email protected]
 

Hong Kong, China Office • +852 2117 1191

[email protected]
 

Copenhagen, Denmark • +45 80 40 49 42

[email protected]

Global locations

Additional representatives
available worldwide.

Follow Us




Subscribe to
Our Newsletter

We are sorry, an unexpected error occurred!
Please enter a valid email address

I'm Interested In...

Thank You!

Thank you for subscribing to the Stack's Bowers Galleries e-newsletter.