1850-O $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS XF40

Doug Winter: “a condition rarity which is hard to find above Extremely Fine-45”

This is a rare example, one that would be an excellent addition to the collection of a specialist of U.S. gold. Please take a look at the images of this piece, with its attractive greenish-gold color. The vast majority of the 1850-O twenties saw extensive circulation, resulting in limited opportunities to purchase higher grade pieces. PCGS has graded 50 as XF40 with 189 finer. The finest graded by PCGS is MS61. Collectors Universe prices this rare issue at $10,250.00 in XF40.

Doug Winter writes, “The 1850-O double eagle is historically significant as the first double eagle produced at a branch mint. For many years, it was regarded as a common date. As the Type One series has become more popular and better researched, collectors have learned that the 1850-O is in fact a condition rarity which is hard to find above Extremely Fine-45, especially with natural color and choice surfaces.”

Winter tells us that the 1850-O is “better struck than other double eagles from this mint.” This piece, with its greenish-gold coloration, has original color. Writes Winter, “The natural coloration is medium to deep greenish gold.”

The New Orleans Mint, in a postcard from 1907, where this rarity was produced in 1850. Image: Wikimedia Commons.