1852-O Liberty Head Double Eagle. AU-53 (PCGS). CAC.Light khaki-gold patina adorns overall boldly defined, partially lustrous surfaces. The in hand appearance is uncommonly smooth for a circulated early date New Orleans Mint twenty. After a record mintage for the facility of 315,000 coins struck in 1851, the New Orleans Mint produced only 190,000 double eagles in 1852. The 1852-O is the final New Orleans Mint issue of this denomination with a mintage of more than 100,000 pieces, and it is also the most readily obtainable after only the 1851-O. Domestic circulation claimed most examples, although some found their way overseas in later years as part of international transactions, where many were eventually melted. Only about 400 to 600 examples of the date can be accounted for today, most of those in the VF and EF range, with AU pieces few and far between. Mint State coins are exceedingly rare, confirming the significance of this endearing AU for advance double eagle and Southern gold enthusiasts.From the Fairmont Collection.
