1851-O Liberty Head Half Eagle. Winter-1. AU-53 (NGC).Handsome honey-gold surfaces reveal wisps of olive and pale rose iridescence as the coin rotates under a light. A touch of softness to the central high points is noted, typical of the issue, although in general we note uncommonly bold detail for a New Orleans Mint gold coin from the pre-Civil War era. The 1851-O has an identical mintage of the 1845-O (41,000 pieces), and both issues are of equal scarcity in todays market. As with most Southern gold issues from the 1840s and 1850s, grades of VF and EF are typical, the present example a desirable alternative for the collector who is unable to procure one of the rare Mint State survivors.
