1851-O $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS AU53

With its attractive greenish-gold coloration and solid AU53 grade, this piece would make a great type coin for an enthusiast of U.S. gold coinage. Out of its mintage of 315,000, there are 78 graded PCGS AU53 with 103 finer.

Gold specialist Doug Winter writes, "The strike seen on this issue is much sharper than on the 1850-O and it is among the best found on any double eagle from this mint. The obverse is usually well detailed with some of the hair strands showing individual definition The stars are likely to show weakness on the radial lines, although a few are found with full or nearly full stars on the obverse. The reverse is generally well struck ...." Of the luster Winter tells us, "on the 1851-O [it] tends to be among the best seen on any Type One double eagle from New Orleans." Plus it gets high grades on eye appeal from Winter: "It is easier to find a nice 1851-O than any other double eagle from New Orleans. Many are well struck and have good luster."

The New Orleans Mint, from a postcard of 1907.