Offered is an important find for the advanced Liberty double eagle and/or New Orleans Mint specialist. The technical quality and eye appeal of this 1860-O is superior for both the issue and the assigned grade. Douglas Winter related the following about the luster on examples of the 1860-O double in the 2006 edition of the book Gold Coins of the New Orleans Mint: 1839-1909: "The luster is better than that found on the 1859-O. It is semi-prooflike or even fully prooflike. However, the luster is often interrupted by...surface marks. There are a few known with blazing, deeply reflective surfaces and they are very impressive from a visual standpoint."Offered here is just such an impressive coin as both sides retain a remarkable degree of bright semi-prooflike reflectivity in the protected areas around the devices. Additionally there is an uncommon degree of sharpness to the strike, especially on the obverse portrait and throughout the reverse eagle. A blend of handsome olive and deep orange-gold patina and exceptional eye appeal add desirability. By 1860 only 6,600 double eagles were struck in New Orleans. The 1860-O is the sixth rarest of 13 double eagle issues from the New Orleans Mint, surpassing even the historic 1861-O, the 1857-O, the 1858-O and the 1850 to 1853 issues. U.S. gold coin scholars recognize this as a challenging issue and Doug Winter estimates that a mere 85 to 95 pieces are extant in all grades. In A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins (2004) Q. David Bowers writes, "The 1860-O double eagle is rare in any grade and is impossible in Mint State. This New Orleans Mint issue has always been very popular." This appealing, premium EF coin is sure to see spirited competition at auction.， Est. $40,000-$60,000
